The Incidence of Giacomini Vein and Its Association with Lower Extremity venous Insufficiency: An Ultrasonographic Study

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the incidence of Giacomini vein and its association with lower extremity venous insufficiency by performing US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2006 to July 2007, 173 patients (58 males and 115 females, mean age: 52.7 years, age range: 22-72 years) who had been diagnosed with unilateral/bilateral varicose veins or telangiectasias were evaluated with duplex Doppler ultrasonography. The presence of Giacomini vein, superficial/deep vein reflux, the anatomical sites of the venous reflux and the abnormal perforating veins was investigated in 346 legs. RESULTS: Giacomini veins were found in 33 limbs (9.5%) of 21 patients (12.1%). Bilateral Giacomini veins were found in 12 patients. Of the 33 limbs that had Giacomini veins, 20 limbs had great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux and 4 limbs had small saphenous vein (SSV) reflux. The patients with Giacomini veins were classified into two groups according to the presence of Giacomini vein. There was no significant difference of the GSV reflux (p = 0.155), the SSV reflux (p = 0.760) and the mean velocity of the GSV reflux or the SSV reflux (p = 0.685, p = 0.431, respectively) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that Giacomini vein is not associated with either GSV or SSV reflux, and this is contrary to conventional belief.

The Frequency of Occurrence and Clinical Significance of the Giacomini Vein

PURPOSE: The Giacomini vein (GV) is one of branches that arising from the short saphenous vein (SSV) which extends cephalad along the posterior thigh communicating to the great saphenous vein (GSV), GSV branch or deep venous system. Despite of its common occurrence, the clinical significance of this venous structure isunknown yet. We investigated the frequency and the anatomical feature of the GV and the frequency of superficial or deep venous reflux associated GV to clarify its clinical significance. METHOD: We conductednon-invasive vascular evaluations on both legs using duplex ultrasonography in 50 patients having leg varicosity or telangiectasis. RESULT: 16 patients (32%) of 50 patients[28 limbs (28%) of 100 limbs]revealed the GV in their lower extremities. Among the patient with GV, venous refluxes of GSV, SSV or perforating vein (PV) were noted in frequencies of 16 limbs (76%), 8 limbs (38%) and 9 limbs (42%) respectively. The SSV and PV reflux were more common in the legs with GV than the legs without GV (P<0.001 respectively, McNemar test) regardless the existence of GV reflux. CONCLUSION: The SSV or PV reflux was more commonly associated with GV.

The Frequency of Occurrence and Clinical Significance of the Giacomini Vein

PURPOSE: The Giacomini vein (GV) is one of branches that arising from the short saphenous vein (SSV) which extends cephalad along the posterior thigh communicating to the great saphenous vein (GSV), GSV branch or deep venous system. Despite of its common occurrence, the clinical significance of this venous structure isunknown yet. We investigated the frequency and the anatomical feature of the GV and the frequency of superficial or deep venous reflux associated GV to clarify its clinical significance. METHOD: We conductednon-invasive vascular evaluations on both legs using duplex ultrasonography in 50 patients having leg varicosity or telangiectasis. RESULT: 16 patients (32%) of 50 patients[28 limbs (28%) of 100 limbs]revealed the GV in their lower extremities. Among the patient with GV, venous refluxes of GSV, SSV or perforating vein (PV) were noted in frequencies of 16 limbs (76%), 8 limbs (38%) and 9 limbs (42%) respectively. The SSV and PV reflux were more common in the legs with GV than the legs without GV (P<0.001 respectively, McNemar test) regardless the existence of GV reflux. CONCLUSION: The SSV or PV reflux was more commonly associated with GV.