Trousseau sign

What is Trousseau sign? 

  • Trousseau sign consists of superficial migratory thrombophlebitis associated with an underlying malignancy.
  • Clinically it presents as erythematous linear cords that affect the superficial veins of the extremities and trunk.
  • Patients typically continue to develop new lesions at multiple sites that may appear to migrate .
  • Trousseau sign may be seen in association with many types of GI malignancies (e.g., gastric carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma) in addition to lung carcinoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease.
  • The pathogenesis is not understood and the thrombophlebitis is notoriously resistant to anticoagulant therapy.
  • It was a cruel coincidence that the physician who described this sign, Dr. Trousseau, was himself to develop Trousseau sign secondary to his underlying gastric carcinoma, which was ultimately fatal.
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