Three-Dimensional Evaluation of the Anatomic Variations of the Femoral Vein and Popliteal Vein in Relation to the Accompanying Artery by Using CT Venography.
10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.327
- Author:
Eun Ah PARK
1
;
Jin Wook CHUNG
;
Whal LEE
;
Yong Hu YIN
;
Jongwon HA
;
Sang Joon KIM
;
Jae Hyung PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, Korea. chungjw@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Veins, anatomy;
Veins, lower extremities;
Veins, computed tomography;
Duplication;
Femoral vein;
Popliteal vein
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Child;
Contrast Media/diagnostic use;
Female;
Femoral Vein/anatomy & histology/*radiography;
Humans;
*Imaging, Three-Dimensional;
Iohexol/analogs & derivatives/diagnostic use;
Leg/*blood supply;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Phlebography/*methods;
Popliteal Vein/anatomy & histology/*radiography;
Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted;
Retrospective Studies;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology
2011;12(3):327-340
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: We wanted to describe the three-dimensional (3D) anatomic variations of the femoral vein (FV) and popliteal vein (PV) in relation to the accompanying artery using CT venography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 445 bilateral (890 limbs) lower limb CT venograms. After the 3D relationship between the FV and PV and accompanying artery was analyzed, the presence or absence of variation was determined and the observed variations were classified. In each patient, the extent and location of the variations and the location of the adductor hiatus were recorded to investigate the regional frequency of the variations. RESULTS: There were four distinct categories of variations: agenesis (3 limbs, 0.3%), multiplication (isolated in the FV: 190 limbs, 21%; isolated in the PV: 14 limbs, 2%; and in both the FV and PV: 51 limbs, 6%), anatomical course variation (75 limbs, 8%) and high union of the tibial veins (737 limbs, 83%). The course variations included medial malposition (60 limbs, 7%), anterior rotation (11 limbs, 1%) and posterior rotation (4 limbs, 0.4%). Mapping the individual variations revealed regional differences in the pattern and frequency of the variations. CONCLUSION: CT venography helps to confirm a high incidence of variations in the lower limb venous anatomy and it also revealed various positional venous anomalies in relation to the respective artery.
