Incompetence of the m. gemellus veins in varicose veins: its incidence and phlebographic study
Urigo, F.; Pischedda, A.; Mocci, M.; Carpanese, L.; Canalis, G.C.
La Radiologia Medica 84(1-2): 48-53
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-8362 PMID: 1509144 Document Number: 404281
The authors report on 466 venographies of the lower limbs performed over the past 2 years on 412 patients affected with varicose veins. Pathologic reflux of the gastrocnemius veins was observed in 15.7% of cases: 9.7% in the group of non-operated patients and 25.3% in the group with recurrent varicose disease. Ascending venography (and eventual popliteal venography) is the ideal diagnostic approach to show gastrocnemius veins incompetence, eventual anatomic variations, and isolated/associated incompetence of the short and/or long saphenous vein territory. Moreover, venography allows the hemodynamic evaluation, and shows reversed flow in the gastrocnemius veins in case of incompetence.