Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein. With phlebitis, there is infiltration of the walls of the vein and, usually, the formation of a clot (thrombus) in the vein (thrombophlebitis). Phlebitis in a leg, for example, will cause the leg to swell with edema fluid and feel stiff and painful.

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Inflammation of a vein. [phlebo- + G. -itis, inflammation]

- adhesive p. a form of p. in which the walls adhere, leading to obliteration of the vessel.

- p. nodularis necrotisans obsolete term for p. in which tuberculous nodules are formed in the skin; the lesions spread peripherally and undergo central necrosis.

- septic p. inflammation of a vein due to infection.

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phle·bi·tis fli-'bīt-əs n, pl phle·bit·i·des -'bit-ə-.dēz inflammation of a vein

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n.

inflammation of the wall of a vein, which is most commonly seen in the legs as a complication of varicose veins. A segment of vein becomes painful and tender and the surrounding skin feels hot and appears red. Thrombosis commonly develops (see thrombophlebitis). Treatment consists of elastic support together with drugs, such as phenylbutazone, to relieve the inflammation and pain. Anticoagulants are not used (compare phlebothrombosis). Phlebitis may also complicate sepsis (see pylephlebitis) or cancer, especially of the stomach, bronchus, or pancreas. In pancreatic cancer the phlebitis may affect a variety of veins (thrombophlebitis migrans).

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phle·bi·tis (flə-biґtis) [phleb- + -itis] inflammation of a vein; when accompanied by thrombus formation it is called thrombophlebitis. phlebitic adj