Mondor's Disease Symptoms, Causes, Ultrasound, Treatment

Mondor's disease is an uncommon syndrome characterized by superficial vein thrombosis of the breast and anterior chest wall. There have been cases where it manifested in the arm. This medical condition is referred to as axillary web syndrome when it affects the axilla.

Patients suffering from this condition frequently experience a sudden onset of pain in the surface layer, in addition to probable swelling and redness in a localized region of their front chest wall or breast. In most cases, there will be a lump present that is painful to the touch and may have some linear characteristics. Patients are frequently referred for mammography and/or breast ultrasonography because it is possible that the lump has a different etiology.

Mondor's disease is typically benign and self-limiting. When a cause is determined, it may be trauma, surgery, or an inflammatory condition such as an infection. Warm compresses and painkillers, most frequently NSAIDS like ibuprofen, are used for management. When the larger veins are affected, thrombophlebitis has the potential to spread into the deep venous system and result in pulmonary embolism.

Mondor's Disease Symptoms

Inflammation of a superficial vein in the arm, breast, or belly is a symptom of Mondor's disease, often referred to as Mondor's syndrome or superficial thrombophlebitis. The primary symptom of Mondor's disease is a cord-like structure that is painful and palpable beneath the skin. Other possible symptoms include the following:

1. Inflammation and swelling in the affected area
2. Discoloration or redness of the skin
3. Sensitivity or pain when the affected area is touched or moved
4. A sensation of heat in the affected area

Generally speaking, Mondor's sickness is not a dangerous ailment and will go away on its own in a few weeks. But if you suspect you have Mondor's illness, you should visit a doctor right away to rule out any other potential reasons for your symptoms.

Mondor's Disease Causes

The development of blood clots in the subcutaneous veins of the breast and chest wall is the root cause of Mondor's illness. It is a rare disorder that typically affects females between the age of thirty to sixty years old. Occasional cases of this illness have been documented in male patients as well. In addition to the breast and frontal chest area, underarms, groin, and neck can also be affected by Mondor's disease.

There are two possible causes for blood clot formation in the subcutaneous vein in the aforementioned anatomical region. Besides infection and damage, direct pressure and tension in the vein can lead to stagnation and clotting.

The condition has been linked to a number of risk factors, including:

1. Breast injury
2. Trauma caused by surgery, in particular following a breast tissue biopsy
3. Infection of the breast
4. The repeated movement of a big, pendulous breast, which can cause the veins to contract and release often
5. The trauma was brought on by wearing a brassiere that was too tight.
6. Clotting disorder that runs in the family
7. Shaving the underarms and bikini area, as well as chest hairs
8. Substance abuse through intravenous injection.
9. Extra tight dressing 

Mondor's Disease Ultrasound

The Mondor disease presents itself sonographically as a tubular structure that is either isoechoic or anechoic and has various zones of narrowing, giving it the appearance of beads. A clot can occasionally be represented by low-level internal echoes. Because of the inflammatory response, the soft tissues around the area may be hyperechoic. On color or spectral Doppler scans, there is no blood flow, and in some instances, a sudden cutoff with the regular vessel may be observed.

Mondor's Disease Treatment

The symptoms of Mondor's disease tend to resolve on their own and are not harmful. After some time, the hardened lump normally transforms into a painless mass and cures on its own. Most of the time, no therapy is necessary if the pain is mild or moderate in intensity. Warm compresses and light painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are helpful if the pain is a troubling cause.

But these medicines can only ease the symptoms; they can't speed up the hardening process. The brittle chord will resolve at its own pace. If Mondor's illness has impacted the groin area, the patient should refrain from sexual activity for a few days or even weeks until the lesion has entirely healed.