Phlebitides--a survey.

Abstract

Classification of phlebitides is difficult and none of the suggestions made so far has been internationally recognized. Already the definition of "primary" and "secondary" presents difficulties. For practical purposes the phlebitides are classified in this survey according to their importance as disease entities and their etiology. The role of phlebitis saltans as an idiopathic disease or as an indicator of underlying disorders is emphasized and the differential diagnosis between symptomatic skipping phlebitis and paraneoplastic thrombosis with secondary inflammation is outlined.