Deep venous thrombosis in duplicated superficial femoral veins

Embolization of a duplicated femoral vein for treatment of lower extremity deep venous insufficiency: A case report

BACKGROUND

Lower extremity deep venous insufficiency (DVI) occurs secondary to structural or functional abnormalities of deep venous valves in the affected extremities. The effectiveness of surgical treatment for improvement of the hemodynamic status in these patients remains controversial in clinical practice.

METHOD

In this case report, we describe a patient who presented with severe right lower extremity edema and liposclerosis and underwent venography, which suggested a variation in the number of femoral veins. The valve within the duplicated femoral vein was significantly incompetent; however, the valve of the main trunk of the femoral vein showed normal function. We performed embolization of the duplicated femoral vein.

RESULTS

The patient tolerated the procedure well without recurrent symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Individualized assessment based on venography findings is useful to establish the therapeutic approach in patients with DVI.

Extensive but minimally symptomatic deep vein thrombosis in duplicated femoral veins

Duplicated femoral veins predispose to venous thrombosis, but patients may present with minimal/no symptoms. The required length of treatment is unclear, but periodic ultrasound surveillance may play a role in the absence of definitive treatment options.

Femoral vein duplication: incidence and potential significance

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of femoral vein duplication and the incidence of bilateral anomalies in a normal cohort of patients presenting with varicose veins.

Methods

Two hundred and forty patients underwent bilateral lower limb deep venous ultrasound examination with particular attention to the femoropopliteal segment.

Results

The incidence of femoral vein duplication was 41%. Of the 140 people with femoral vein duplications, 60 (42%) were bilateral and 80 (57%) were unilateral.

Conclusion

Femoral vein duplication is a common anatomical variant of the lower limb deep venous system. Ultrasound in skilled and experienced hands with the latest ultrasound units can readily demonstrate this venous anomaly on a consistent basis.