Creeping phlebitis in East Africa

Abstract

1. 1) Ten cases are described of a form of phlebitis which was not typical either of thrombophlebitis migrans or of tropical phlebitis. 2. 2) The patients were otherwise healthy persons who suffered from long stretches of continuous phlebitis of superficial veins which crept along the veins both proximally and distally, the phlebitis tending to recover from parts first affected. There was no oedema, apart from transient oedema in one case; there was no pyrexia. The leucocyte count and E.S.R. were usually normal. No case of pulmonary embolism occurred. 3. 3) All patients were Europeans. The sex incidence was equal. The average age was 36. 4. 4) Five attacks were precipitated by intravenous injections and four by some other form of trauma, the latent period before the onset of phlebitis being within 24 hours in seven attacks. In every case the phlebitis commenced at the site of the injection or injury, but relapses often affected other veins in different limbs which had not been exposed to injection or trauma. 5. 6) Relapses occurred in seven patients, the number of relapses varying from one to six. The intervals between relapses varied from 12 days to 4 years and were under 1 month in only one case. 6. 7) The condition probably results from sensitization of veins to allergenic substances.