Ultraschall Med 2007; 28 - V_4_9
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-988958

Color Doppler ultrasound diagnosis of thrombosis of a duplicated superficial femoral and popliteal vein

J Fernandez Sanchez 1, M Nicolai 1, H Marx 1, C Blatzonis 1
  • 1Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Stuttgart, Germany

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation of a thrombosis of one branch of the superficial femoral vein (SFV) and/or popliteal vein (PV) in cases of vein duplication.

Methods: In 82 cases of a duplicated SFV and/or PV in patients with clinically suspected lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT), the possible presentation of a thrombosis of one branch of the duplicated vein was evaluated.

Results: A thrombosis of one branch of the duplicated SFV/PV was detected in 22/82 cases. In 18/22 cases there was also a DVT in other veins above and/or below the duplicated veins. However, in 18% of cases it was indeed an isolated thrombosis of only one branch of the duplicated femoropopliteal veins.

Conclusions: The possible duplicated venous anatomy must always be taken into consideration in the US-diagnosis of a DVT. Because a thrombosis of one branch of the duplicated veins can be possible, a carefully evaluation of the duplicated segments must be performed in order to avoid false-negatives US diagnosis of a DVT.