Korean J Dermatol.  1982 Oct;20(5):809-815.

Two Cases of Superficial Migratory Thrombophlebitis

• Chung JW
• Ahu SD
• Kim HJ
• Kim YW

Abstract

Superficial migratory thrombophlebitis (SMT) represents multiple, tender, often cordlike nodules, usuallyion the legs but occationally on the arms. In some instances the nodules slowly migrate along the course of a vein. It can occur in association with carcinoma of internal organ or other diseases but also idiopathically. In 1865 Trousseau first wrote about that patients who have carcinoma involving an internal organ are prone to develop thrombophlebitis in one or more superficial veins so he drew attention to the fact that thrombophlebitis may be a first presenting sign of carcinomatosis. In fact, it is not uncommon for the ordinary thrombotic lesions to be observed several months or even a year before the carcinoma would otherwise diagnosed. So the clinical manifestation of SMT may be very important dermatologic finding to find hidden cancer of visceral organ. We present two cases of SMT, first case is a 25-year-old male patient who had multiple, tender nodules on both lower extremities and second case is 32-year-old male patient who had multiple, tender, linear, often cordlike nodules along the inner aspect of right lower extremity. Because we could not find any internal carcinoma or other diseas esexcept histories of hepatitis, we regard them as idiopathic type, but continuous follow up observation must be needed under the importance of possible presence of internal carcinoma.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arm
Carcinoma
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis
Humans
Leg
Lower Extremity
Male
Thrombophlebitis*
Veins