Doctors can usually diagnose phlebitis through a physical exam and may order tests such as an ultrasound, which will show the blood flow through the affected area and reveal the location of a clot. The physician may also use an evaluation called a D-dimer level assessment, which requires drawing blood and checking for the presence of D-dimer, a protein released into the bloodstream when a blood clot dissolves. A positive D-dimer test usually results in additional testing such as MRIs, venography, or CT scans.

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