Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
http://www.jvb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/1677-5449.202501452
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Relato de Caso

Bilateral anomalous veins arising from the popliteal vein with variant termination of the short saphenous vein: a case report

Veias anômalas bilaterais originadas da veia poplítea com terminação variante da veia safena parva: relato de caso

Hisham Muhsen; Naveen Kumar; Abdalla Ahmed Eldaw Elamin; Vijay Paul Samuel; Rana Aly Mohamed Elbeshbeishy

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1677-5449.202501452 J Vasc Bras, vol.24, e20250145, 2025
PDF
Downloads: 0
Views: 9

Abstract

This report explores the presence of bilateral anomalous veins with variant termination of the small saphenous veins (SSV) in both lower limbs. The SSV originated normally on the right side, draining into an anomalous vein from the popliteal vein. This vein then ascended cranially to the back of the thigh and terminated in the thigh veins. On the left side, the SSV had its normal draining pattern into the popliteal vein. However, slightly distal to the saphenopopliteal junction, an anomalous vein originated from the popliteal vein, which ascended upwards to the back of the thigh and terminated in the thigh veins. Presence of variant veins are likely to complicate venous ultrasonography and make procedures more difficult for sonographers to perform. Prior knowledge of variant patterns of superficial veins of the lower limbs is useful for clinicians during coronary bypass procedures, as these vessels are commonly used in such surgeries.

Keywords

short saphenous vein; anomalous vein; Giacomini’s vein; vascular anatomy; venous variation

Resumo

Este relato explora a presença de veias anômalas bilaterais associadas a terminação variante das veias safenas parvas (VSP) em ambos os membros. No lado direito, a VSP apresentou origem habitual, drenando para uma veia anômala proveniente da veia poplítea. Essa veia, por sua vez, ascendeu cranialmente pela região posterior da coxa, terminando nas veias da coxa. No lado esquerdo, a VSP manteve seu padrão usual de drenagem na veia poplítea. Entretanto, um pouco distalmente à junção safeno-poplítea, uma veia anômala originou-se da veia poplítea, ascendendo pela região posterior da coxa e terminando nas veias da coxa. A presença de veias variantes pode dificultar a ultrassonografia venosa e tornar a realização de procedimentos mais complexa para os sonografistas. O conhecimento prévio sobre padrões variantes das veias superficiais do membro inferior é útil para clínicos durante procedimentos de bypass coronário, já que esses vasos são frequentemente utilizados nessas cirurgias.

Palavras-chave

veia safena parva; veia anômala; veia de Giacomini; anatomia vascular; variação venosa

Referências

1 Standring S. Grays anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. 39th ed. London: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.p1452-1487.

2 Georgiev M, Myers KA, Belcaro G. The thigh extension of the lesser saphenous vein: from Giacomini’s observations to ultrasound scan imaging. J Vasc Surg. 2003;37(3):558-63. https://doi.org/10.1067/mva.2003.77. PMid:12618692.

3 Engelhorn CA, Engelhorn ALDV, Oliveira EDS, Macedo JM, Anizelli LB, Mendonça MLO. The role of the giacomini vein in preoperative mapping of lower limb varicose veins. J Vasc Bras. 2024;23:e20240058. https://doi.org/10.1590/1677-5449.202400582. PMid:39629278.

4 Nasra K, Negussie E. Sonography vascular peripheral vein assessment, protocols, and interpretation. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 30]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570639/

5 Natsis K, Paraskevas G, Lazaridis N, Sofidis G, Piagkou M. Giacomini vein: thigh extension of the small saphenous vein - report of two cases and review of the literature. Hippokratia. 2015;19(3):263-5. PMid:27418788.

6 Elamin AAE, Kumar N, Samuel VP, Bhat KMR. Giacomini’s vein: a report on the invaluable importance of an anomalous short saphenous vein. J Vasc Bras. 2024;23:e20240024. https://doi.org/10.1590/1677-5449.202400242. PMid:39286308.

7 Oliveira A, Vidal EA, França GJ, Toregiani J, Timi JRR, Rocha Moreira RC. Anatomic variation study of small saphenous vein termination using color Doppler ultrasound. J Vasc Bras. 2004;3(3):223-30.

8 Engel AF, Davies G, Keeman JN, von Dorp TA. Colour flow imaging of the normal short saphenous vein. Eur J Vasc Surg. 1994;8(2):179-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-821X(05)80456-6. PMid:8181612.

9 Uhl JF, Gillot C. Anatomy and embryology of the small saphenous vein: nerve relationships and implications for treatment. Phlebology. 2013;28(1):4-15. https://doi.org/10.1258/phleb.2012.012j08. PMid:23256200.

10 Antani MR, Dattilo JB. Varicose veins. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 30]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470194/

11 Abhinitha P, Mohandas R, Satheesha N, Surekha S, Kumar N. Anomalous termination of a small (short) saphenous vein associated with its abnormal course in the thigh: a case report. OA Case Reports. 2013;2(7):63. https://doi.org/10.13172/2052-0077-2-7-725.

12 Cardoso BB, Alvarenga CO, Miyahara MDS, et al. Persistência da veia ciática. J Vasc Bras. 2010;9(3):137-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-54492010000300007.

13 Delis KT, Swan M, Crane J, Cheshire N. The Giacomini vein as an autologous conduit in infrainguinal arterial reconstruction. J Vasc Surg. 2004;40(3):578-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2004.06.038. PMid:15337895.

14 Ammal A, Selvi T. An anatomical study on the variations of short saphenous vein and its termination. Int J Med Res Health Sci. 2016;5:28-33.
 

Submetido em:
30/08/2025

Aceito em:
22/12/2025

Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)"> Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)">
69bc5487a953950b6e60afa7 jvb Articles
Links & Downloads
1677-7301 (Eletrônico)
J Vasc Bras ©2026 Todos os direitos reservados.

J Vasc Bras

Share this page
Page Sections