SEPTIC THROMBOPHLEBITIS DUE TO A SPECIES OF ACHROMOBACTER IN A FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY

The occurrence of high fever in an otherwise well child, a day or two after operation, leads the experienced surgeon to throw back the sheets and look for a saphenous phlebitis at the site of a cut-down. The child is usually not particularly ill, although there is generally a visible erythema, tenderness, induration along the course of the vein, and frequently edema of the leg. Blood cultures made by ordinary methods are generally sterile. The condition responds at once to withdrawal of the intravenous cannula, polyethylene catheter, or indwelling needle and local application of hot compresses. The plastic indwelling catheters have become particularly popular and have led to the more frequent use of continuous intravenous drips. A number of reports have appeared listing the hazards and complications which result from use of this technique.1Septic thrombophlebitis is probably the most serious complication and has led to bacteremia and septicemia