Superficial Vein Thrombosis

While most of us have heard of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you may not have heard of a similar condition called superficial vein thrombosis (SVT).

What is superficial vein thrombosis?

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a condition where a vein just under the skin forms a blood clot. It is also sometimes referred to as phlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis. The vein and surrounding area become painful, red, and swollen. The inflammation may spread along the vein up and down the leg. Without treatment, the clot can extend to involve much larger and deeper veins in the limb, and these clots can spread to the lungs. Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is therefore a potentially serious problem which needs careful assessment and treatment.

Causes of SVT

Superficial vein thrombosis most frequently arises in pre-existing varicose veins, but any vein can be affected. There is a well-recognised link with cancer, in that patients with active cancer often develop SVT. It is, however, rare for SVT to be the first presenting symptom of a new, undiagnosed cancer.

Risks of SVT

Superficial vein thrombosis is often mistakenly considered to be an unimportant, minor, self-limiting condition and is frequently not properly treated. The reason that SVT should be taken seriously is that a significant proportion of patients go on to develop more serious forms of blood clot, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary emboli (clots in the lung). The risk of such an event remains five times higher than normal for more than five years after the event.

It is essential to perform a duplex (Doppler-ultrasound) scan to diagnose SVT. This is because over a quarter of patients turn out to have an associated deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which cannot be detected by clinical examination alone. Furthermore, some 17% of these DVTs are in the OPPOSITE leg, so it is vital to check both sides.

Clots affecting the lungs are less common, but they still occur in 2-7% of patients.

Treatment

It is advisable to assess the risk of progression for every patient and try to target the treatment with anticoagulant medication significantly reduces the risk of superficial vein thrombosis progressing to a more serious blood clot such as a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus.

Those patients whose problem affected a long-standing varicose vein should have the culprit vein treated at the earliest opportunity once the acute problem has settle.

Don’t let vein issues affect your life.

Book a call with us

Treatments for Superficial Vein Thrombosis

Venaseal Glue Treatment

Can be performed in the office/outpatient environment
Is relatively painless?
Very little bruising of the leg
Minimal local anaesthetic required.
Return to work within 24 hours.

Radiofrequency Vein Ablation

Gold standard treatment of varicose veins (along with endovenous laser ablation)
Keyhole treatment
Relatively painless and return to work within 24 hours
Useful in treating primary varicose veins

Closure Treatment

Same day procedure
Fast recovery – resuming normal activities within 1-2 days
Minimal or no scarring

EndoVenous Laser Ablation

Keyhole treatment
All varicose vein sizes can be treated.
Relatively painless with return to work within 24 hours
Useful in treating primary and secondary varicose veins

Ultrasound – Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

Keyhole treatment
Useful in treating recurrent varicose veins
Outpatient/office based treatment
Compliments: laser and radio frequency treatment of varicose veins
Relatively cheap

Vein Check-up

At the Vein and Foot Clinic, we offer an early detection service for the potential risk of developing thread veins, varicose veins, pelvic varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Don’t let vein issues affect your life.

Book a call with us

Superficial Vein Thrombosis