It is the inflammation of the venous system, which can degenerate into deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary thromboembolism.
It is caused by diseases (cancer, congenital cardiopathies, nephrotic syndrome), trauma or intravenous catheters.
In many cases, it is not associated to symptoms. When it does manifest as deep vein thrombosis that goes along with swelling, reddening and pain in the extremity. If it starts as a pulmonary thromboembolism, it may develop into respiratory failure, collapse of blood circulation and even death.
Diagnosis is reached through clinical questioning, physical exploration and a Doppler colour ultrasound. Other complementary tests less common are: phlebography, CT-scan or MRI.
The treatment must be personalised, being anticoagulants the elective treatment.
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