[Iatrogenic phlebitis of the upper limb and thoracic outlet syndrome]

Classically, the primary forms of phlebitis of the upper limb due to venous compression in the thoracic outlet have been radically contrasted with the secondary phlebitis, always iatrogenic, occurring after peripheral venipuncture. However, this distinction is perhaps not as clear as all that. In this paper, the authors report 3 cases of iatrogenic phlebitis of the upper limb. In all 3 cases, phlebography demonstrated venous compression at the thoracic outlet. Consequently, the development of phlebitis in the upper limb after a nervous puncture should always suggest the possibility of a thoracic outlet syndrome and is an indication for phlebography. Conversely, a corollary to the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome should be the formal contraindication of intravenous infusion on the affected side. The treatment of these iatrogenic forms of phlebitis involves the use of anticoagulants followed by surgical resection of the 1st rib to decompress the collateral venous circulation.