Katherine Kozlowski, Medical Author and Contributor to Vein News and VeinsVeinsVeins.com
Mondor’s disease is a rare, benign condition characterized by thrombophlebitis (inflammation of vein(s) caused by a blood clot) on the chest wall or within the breast.
While chest pain is a common cause for people to seek immediate medical care, if there is no known cause of the pain, patients can be subject to extensive testing and treatments.
Case Study:
Mendes et al reported the case of a 51-year-old male emergency department patient with a history of 24-hour left chest pain and no other symptoms. Upon physical exam, the patient had a “palpable subcutaneous cord-like structure” in the mammary region. Duplex scanning confirmed that this was thrombophlebitis of a superficial vein in the area.
What was the treatment for this patient?
Ibuprofen and ice.
However, this condition can resolve on its own within 4-8 weeks.
What is Mondor’s disease associated with?
Most of the time, there is no known cause (idiopathic).
Mondor’s disease is usually related to Virchow’s triad: blood vessel wall damage, stasis (blood pooling/slowing), and hypercoagulation. It may also be related to neoplasms (abnormal tissue growth), surgical trauma, muscular strain, electrocution, bacterial/viral infections, vasoconstrictor drugs, venous anatomical variation, and venous compression. (Alvarez-Garrido et al 2009)
What do we know about Mondor’s disease?
It is rare but benign.
There is no proof that a specific treatment is beneficial. However, if a patient is symptomatic, they may benefit from anticoagulation therapy.
Mondor’s disease can be secondary to other diseases, and in that case, should be treated as such.
References: Mendes JBM, Gomes JFF, Branquinho LR et al. Mondor’s Disease: A Rare Cause of Chest Pain. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2020; 7(12):001984
Alvarez-Garrido H, Garrido-Rios AA, Sanz-Munoz C et al. Mondor’s Disease. Clin Exp Dermatol 2009; 34(7): 753-756.