Superficial thrombophlebitis followed by pulmonary embolism

Superficial thrombophlebitis is often thought of as a benign self-limiting disorder, warranting only symptomatic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Lately, however, several reports have suggested an association with deep-vein thrombosis, with one study finding an unexpectedly high rate of pulmonary embolism in patients with saphenous vein thrombosis and no obvious deep-vein involvement1.