Effect of anatomic variations on deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity

An interconnected duplicated femoral vein and its clinical significance

“…Liu et al [8] conducted ascending positive contrast venography on 337 lower extremities to determine whether there were any anatomic variations that might predispose to (DVT), and to investigate why so many patients with DVT were asymptomatic. They found multiple FVs in 31% of the total limbs.…”

Duplication unilateral femoral vein

“…The duplex ultrasonography (US) studies have consistently demonstrated lower rates (6-25%) of multiple femoral veins compared to that of the venographic studies, which have reported rates of 31% and 33% 2,6 . Park et al (2011) .…”

“…They made an important inference that the frequency of missed proximal thrombosis at ultrasound appears to be increased when duplicated superficial femoral veins are present, and imaging studies are insufficient to support the adoption of a totally noninvasive imaging strategy. Liu et al 6 in a venographic study of 337 limbs in 256 patients found that the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was two times higher than that in the limbs with a single femoral vein, observed a higher prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in individuals with multiple femoral veins. There were also a higher proportion of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis patients presenting dupli cated veins, which could be explained by the collateral pathways provided by the accessory veins and their natural relief for blood congestion.…”

“…The femoral vein also described by the inaccurate term "superficial femoral vein" 17,18 . Duplication of the superficial femoral vein is a recognized antecedent of missed proximal thrombus at Ultrasonography 3,6,19 , with the incidence being twice as high in patients with a duplicated superficial femoral vein compared with those with a single superficial femoral vein 6 . In a review of 269 cases of acute lower limb proximal deep venous thrombosis, Maki et al 20 showed that 22% of thrombi were isolated to the superficial femoral vein, with the remaining 78% having thrombus extending into the common femoral or popliteal veins or both.…”

“…In a review of 269 cases of acute lower limb proximal deep venous thrombosis, Maki et al 20 showed that 22% of thrombi were isolated to the superficial femoral vein, with the remaining 78% having thrombus extending into the common femoral or popliteal veins or both. Thus, assessment of the superficial femoral vein is often of great importance in the establishment of more than 20% of all lower limb deep venous thrombosis 6 . Therefore, like other authors 20,21 23 or infection is present.…”