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Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy: implications for diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis
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Abstract
Background: To retrospectively review the bilateral venous system within the popliteal fossa to evaluate the types of variations and their frequency seen in venous anatomy.
Materials and methods: During routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, a retrospective review of 32 bilateral (64 limbs) lower limbs obtained from adult donors was performed. Deep veins present in the popliteal fossa were evaluated according to predetermined criteria for the presence of duplication of vessels and interindividual variations in venous anatomy.
Results: More than one deep venous vessel was seen in the popliteal fossa in 20 (31.3%) of 64 limbs. In 12 (18.7%) cases there was a high (just below the level of the adductor hiatus) origin of the popliteal vein: from 2 tributaries in 10 (15.6%) and 3 tributaries in 2 (3.1%). In 5 (7.8%) cases true duplicated popliteal veins were observed. There were also 3 (4.7%) cases, including one bilateral, of persistent sciatic vein.
Conclusions: Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy are common and have important implications for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
Abstract
Background: To retrospectively review the bilateral venous system within the popliteal fossa to evaluate the types of variations and their frequency seen in venous anatomy.
Materials and methods: During routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, a retrospective review of 32 bilateral (64 limbs) lower limbs obtained from adult donors was performed. Deep veins present in the popliteal fossa were evaluated according to predetermined criteria for the presence of duplication of vessels and interindividual variations in venous anatomy.
Results: More than one deep venous vessel was seen in the popliteal fossa in 20 (31.3%) of 64 limbs. In 12 (18.7%) cases there was a high (just below the level of the adductor hiatus) origin of the popliteal vein: from 2 tributaries in 10 (15.6%) and 3 tributaries in 2 (3.1%). In 5 (7.8%) cases true duplicated popliteal veins were observed. There were also 3 (4.7%) cases, including one bilateral, of persistent sciatic vein.
Conclusions: Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy are common and have important implications for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
Keywords
popliteal vein; sciatic vein; anatomy variations
Title
Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy: implications for diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
51-56
Published online
2013-03-04
Page views
1976
Article views/downloads
5896
DOI
10.5603/FM.2013.0008
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):51-56.
Keywords
popliteal vein
sciatic vein
anatomy variations
Authors
A. Sadowska
J. H. Spodnik
S. Wójcik