Postphlebitic Localized Hypertrichosis

To the Editor.—  The clinical manifestations of postphlebitic syndrome are edema, increased pigmentation, dermatitis, and indurated cellulitis; however, hair growth over varicose veins is very rare in this condition.¹

Report of a Case.—  We recently examined a 42-year-old woman with a three-year history of congestive heart failure and tricuspid valve insufficiency secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One year previously she had recurrent thrombophlebitis of the limbs. We noticed hyperpigmentation and hair growth over thrombotic veins in the patient (Figure).

Comment.—  Thrombophlebitis of a superficial varicose vein, as in this or any other case, is made evident by painful induration with inflammation of the overlying skin. Localized sweating is sometimes seen, but localized hypertrichosis over thrombotic veins is extremely rare.¹ We could not find any elucidating explanation about the mechanism of this type of hypertrichosis.Hyperpigmentation and hair growth over thrombotic veins in patient.