The key difference between thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis is that thrombophlebitis is the presence of a clot within a vein, which is associated with inflammation of the wall of the vein, while phlebothrombosis is the presence of a clot within a vein unassociated with inflammation of the wall of the vein.
Both thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis are based on the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) within veins. These blood clots are formed due to damage to the vessel wall, increased clotting, or slowed blood flow. However, thrombophlebitis is associated with inflammation, whereas phlebothrombosis is not associated with inflammation.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Thrombophlebitis
3. What is Phlebothrombosis
4. Similarities – Thrombophlebitis and Phlebothrombosis
5. Thrombophlebitis vs Phlebothrombosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Thrombophlebitis vs Phlebothrombosis
What is Thrombophlebitis?
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory condition that results in a blood clot formation and blocking of one or more veins, normally in the legs. Thrombophlebitis can affect the veins near the surface of the skin (superficial) or deep veins within the muscle, as well. Thrombophlebitis is caused by trauma or injury to a vein, an inherited blood clotting disorder, surgery, or prolonged inactivity (during an injury or hospital stay). Moreover, the signs and symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis may include warmth, tenderness, pain in the affected area, redness, and swelling, while the signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis may include pain and swelling. The complications involved in this condition include blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and long-lasting leg pain and swelling, known as postphlebitic syndrome.
Figure 01: Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis can be diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasound, and blood tests. Furthermore, thrombophlebitis can be treated by applying heat to the painful area, elevating the affected leg, wearing compression stockings, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), blood thinning medications, clot-dissolving medications, vena cava filter, and varicose vein stripping.
What is Phlebothrombosis?
Phlebothrombosis is a condition that occurs when a blood clot is formed within a vein independently from the presence of the inflammation of the vein. Inactivity, such as bed rest during convalescence, can normally lead to phlebothrombosis. Phlebothrombosis can also frequently progress to thrombophlebitis, which is associated with the inflammation of the vein. Moreover, signs and symptoms of phlebothrombosis may include localized pain and the formation of a small local, rounded calcification known as phlebolith within the vein.
Phlebothrombosis can be diagnosed through physical examinations, radio label tests, ultrasound tests, X-rays, and CT scans. Furthermore, treatment options for phlebothrombosis may include blood-thinning medications, thrombolytic medications, catheter-directed treatments like percutaneous transcatheter treatment, and surgery thrombectomy.
What are the Similarities Between Thrombophlebitis and Phlebothrombosis?
- Both thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis are based on the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) within a vein.
- Phlebothrombosis can also frequently progress to thrombophlebitis.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They can be treated through blood-thinning medications and thrombolytic medications.
What is the Difference Between Thrombophlebitis and Phlebothrombosis?
Thrombophlebitis is the presence of a clot within a vein, which is associated with inflammation of the wall of the vein, while phlebothrombosis is the presence of a clot within a vein unassociated with inflammation of the wall of the vein. Thus, this is the key difference between thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis. Furthermore, thrombophlebitis usually affects smaller superficial or deep veins, whereas phlebothrombosis affects a large truncal vein or a deep conducting vein.
The infographic below presents the differences between thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Thrombophlebitis vs. Phlebothrombosis
Blood clots are semi-solid or gel-like masses that usually form in arteries and veins. Blood clots are very serious and should be immediately managed. Both thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis are based on the formation of a blood clot within veins. Thrombophlebitis occurs when a blood clot is formed within a vein, associated with inflammation of the wall, while phlebothrombosis occurs when a blood clot is formed within a vein independently from the presence of inflammation of the vein. So, this summarizes the difference between thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis.
Reference:
1. “Thrombophlebitis.” Penn Medicine.
2. “Phlebothrombosis – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Thrombophlebitis am Ellenbogen nach Infusionsnadel 54M – US – 001 – Annotation” By Hellerhoff – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia