Suppurative thrombophlebitis natural history, complications and prognosis

If left untreated, suppurative thrombophlebitis may metastasize to different organs. Untreated suppurative thrombophlebitis is associated with a high mortality rate.^[1]. The most common complication of suppurative thrombophlebitis is metastatic septic foci spreading to different organs of the body. Common complications of suppurative thrombophlebitis are septic shock, sustained sepsis, infective endocarditis, septic emboli to the central nervous system, and septic pulmonary emboli. Septic thrombophlebitis of the intracranial dural sinuses has a very high mortality rate, compared to pelvic and jugular thrombophlebitis. Lemierre syndrome has a documented mortality rate of 6.4%.^[2]

If left untreated, suppurative thrombophlebitis may metastasize to different organs. Untreated suppurative thrombophlebitis is associated with a high mortality rate.^[1]

The most common complication of suppurative thrombophlebitis is metastatic septic foci spreading to different organs of the body. Common complications of suppurative thrombophlebitis include:^[3]

• Septic shock
• Sustained sepsis
• Infective endocarditis
• Septic emboli to the central nervous system
• Septic pulmonary emboli
• Osteomyelitis
• Septic arthritis
• Arteritis
• Intracranial abscess
• Meningitis

Complications of suppurative thrombophlebitis occur in one third of all patients with catheter-associated peripheral septic phlebitis, with the most severe complications caused by Staphylococcus aureus.^[4]

Septic thrombophlebitis of the intracranial dural sinuses has a very high mortality rate, compared to pelvic and jugular thrombophlebitis. Lemierre syndrome has a mortality rate of 6.4%.^[2]

Template:WikiDoc Sources