Vnitr Lek 2006, 52(12):1150-1155

Ultrasound mapping of lower-limb vascular system with regard to occurrence and anatomy of additional front great saphenous vein

D. Musil^1,2,*, J. Herman³

¹ Nestátní interní a cévní ambulance, II. poliklinika, Olomouc

² Ústav patofyziologie Lékařské fakulty UP Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jaroslav Veselý, CSc.

³ II. chirurgická klinika Lékařské fakulty UP a FN Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. Miloslav Duda, DrSc.

A primary survey study involving a set of 113 lower limbs of 66 patients was focused on the prevalence of additional front great saphenous vein (AFGSV) and the measurement of the distance between its start in the great saphenous vein (GSV) and the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), the measurement of the distance between the passage of AFGSV through the saphenous fascia and its start in GSV, and compared the width of AFGSV anechogenous lumen with the calibre of GSV. The prevalence of AFGSV in the observed set was 42.5%. Reflux was proved in 6 AFGSVs (12.5%). The width of the AFGSV anechogenous lumen was on an average 0.29 cm (M 0.26 cm, SD ± 0.15 cm), and the width of GSV anechogenous lumen measured on lower limbs with simultaneous occurrence of AFGSV was 0.38 cm (M 0.38 cm, SD ± 0.11 cm) on an average. Comparison of the anechogenous lumen width of the two veins showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0,001). AFGSV in the observed set of lower limbs started in VS at an average distance of 0.8 cm from the saphenofemoral junction (M 0.8 cm, SD ± 0.46 cm). The minimum start point distance was 0.1 cm, the maximum was 1.84 cm. In 3 cases (6.3%), AFGSV started directly in the common femoral vein (v. femoralis communis), which was the place where also the saphenous vein begins. The distance between the passage of AFGSV through saphenous fascia to upper subcutaneous layers and the start of the vein in GSV was on an average 13.2 cm (M 14.5 cm, SD ± 6.5 cm). The maximum distance between the passage of AFGSV through saphenous fascia and the start of the vein in GSV was 4 cm, the maximum distance being 30 cm.

Keywords: frontal additional great saphenous vein; great saphenous vein; saphenous compartment; duplex sonography; ultrasound mapping of lower-limb vascular system

Received: April 18, 2006; Accepted: August 7, 2006; Published: December 1, 2006  Show citation