The Frequency of Occurrence and Clinical Significance of the Giacomini Vein.
- Author:
Milljae SHIN
1
;
Young Wook KIM
;
Dong Ik KIM
;
Koung Bok LEE
Author Information
1. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ywkim@smc.samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Giacomini vein;
Venous reflux;
Doppler duplex ultrasonography
- MeSH:
Extremities;
Humans;
Leg;
Lower Extremity;
Saphenous Vein;
Telangiectasis;
Thigh;
Ultrasonography;
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex;
Veins*
- From:Journal of the Korean Society for Vascular Surgery
2007;23(1):39-42
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The Giacomini vein (GV) is one of branches that arising from the short saphenous vein (SSV) which extends cephalad along the posterior thigh communicating to the great saphenous vein (GSV), GSV branch or deep venous system. Despite of its common occurrence, the clinical significance of this venous structure isunknown yet. We investigated the frequency and the anatomical feature of the GV and the frequency of superficial or deep venous reflux associated GV to clarify its clinical significance. METHOD: We conductednon-invasive vascular evaluations on both legs using duplex ultrasonography in 50 patients having leg varicosity or telangiectasis. RESULT: 16 patients (32%) of 50 patients[28 limbs (28%) of 100 limbs]revealed the GV in their lower extremities. Among the patient with GV, venous refluxes of GSV, SSV or perforating vein (PV) were noted in frequencies of 16 limbs (76%), 8 limbs (38%) and 9 limbs (42%) respectively. The SSV and PV reflux were more common in the legs with GV than the legs without GV (P<0.001 respectively, McNemar test) regardless the existence of GV reflux. CONCLUSION: The SSV or PV reflux was more commonly associated with GV.
