From the Research
A phlebolith is a calcified thrombus that forms within a vein, typically in the pelvic region, and can be round or linear in shape, as seen in a recent case report of a 73-year-old woman with a linear phlebolith in the femoral vein 1. The formation of phleboliths is often associated with slowed or pooled blood flow in a vein, allowing minerals to accumulate and harden over time.
- They are generally benign and often discovered incidentally during imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds.
- Phleboliths can appear in various locations, including the pelvic region, particularly in women who have had multiple pregnancies or in people with varicose veins.
- Most phleboliths do not cause symptoms and require no treatment, but their presence may indicate underlying venous stasis or previous inflammation. The diagnosis of phleboliths is crucial to differentiate them from other conditions like kidney stones or other calcifications, which is why proper radiological assessment is important for accurate diagnosis, as highlighted in a study on venous malformations with multiple phleboliths 2.
Key Characteristics of Phleboliths
- Calcified thrombi that form within a vein
- Typically round or linear in shape
- Often associated with slowed or pooled blood flow
- Generally benign and asymptomatic
- May indicate underlying venous stasis or previous inflammation
Clinical Significance of Phleboliths
- Important to differentiate from other conditions like kidney stones or other calcifications
- May require surgical extirpation in certain cases, such as in patients with venous malformations 3
- Can be associated with vascular anomalies, but may also occur without associated vascular anomalies, as seen in a case report of oral phleboliths without evidence of associated vascular anomalies 4