Superficial Vein Imaging

Question 1

T/F the superficial leg veins travel with an accompanying artery within the border that separates the fascia from the muscle

Answer 1

FALSE

Question 2

What is the role of the superficial veins

Answer 2

Regulate body temperature

Question 3

The _______ originates from the _____ aspect of the dorsal arch of the foot and passes ______ of the medial malleolus

Answer 3

Great saphenous
Originates medial aspect of the dorsal arch
Passes infront medial mallelous

Question 4

Where does the great saphenous vein dump into, from where

Answer 4

Common femoral

Lateral/deep below inguinal ligament

Question 5

How many components does GSV have in the calf

Answer 5

2 (anterior/posterior)

Question 6

The long saphenous vein ends at a point _______ to the medial malleolus

Answer 6

Anterior

Question 7

The great saphenous vein runs between ______ (upper thigh). What symbol does this look like?
Is it larger/smaller caudally (distal thigh)

Answer 7

Two hyperechoic fascia
An egyption eye
Smaller caudally

Question 8

______ (variant) of the GSV is seen up to _____% of people

Answer 8

Duplication 50%

Question 9

Is the LSV (great saphenous) connected to the deep veins? How

Answer 9

Yes, perforators

Question 10

The fossa ovalis is where

Answer 10

the GSV enter the femoral vein

Question 11

How many tributaries drain into the SFJ from the groin. Why are they significant

Answer 11

6 tributaries
Sig in the recurrence of varicose veins
Also provide collateral network

Question 12

What do you do if a thrombus is noted in the GSV

Answer 12

Measure the distance from the edge of the thrombus to the SFJ

Question 13

Under what circumstance will physicians anticoagulate patients with thrombus extending into the SFJ

Answer 13

Thrombus extending

Distance between thrombus and SFJ 0.5-1cm

Question 14

When is it considered a DVT? What should be done?

Answer 14

Once thrombus goes from superficial to deep vein

Prescribe anticoagulant to prevent occurence of PE

Question 15

Does a clot in the superficial system pose a threat to producing a PE

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

Thrombus within ____cm of the deep system are sometimes treated as DVT depending on ____

Answer 16

2 cm, depending on pt history

Question 17

Where does superficial thrombophlebitis occur most commonly

Answer 17

Varicose veins

Question 18

Clinical signs of SVT (6)

Answer 18

Severe pain and tenderness
Redness
Inflammation
Swelling
Pyrexia (fever)
Palpable cord

Question 19

SVT is associated with an occult of DVT ___% of the time

Answer 19

20%

Question 20

DDX of SVT (2)

Answer 20

Lymphangitis

Cellulitis

Question 21

What are the LSV branches below the knee

Answer 21

Posterior accessory (medial) 
Anterior accessory

Question 22

The posterior accessory vein of the GSV communicates with the _____ via the _____

Answer 22

Posterior accessory vein of GSV communicates with
Posterior tibial veins
Via
medial calf perforators

Question 23

Differentiating factor between superficial veins and deep veins (3)

Answer 23

• Superficial travel without accompanying A (like the deep)
• Superficial V encapsulated within fascia
• Function to bring blood to skin (not return blood to heart)

Question 24

Where does the GSV enter the femoral V

Answer 24

Through foramen ovale at the SFJ

Question 25

What does the surgeon need to do in the Rx of the varicose vein?

Answer 25

Because there are many tributaries joining the GSV at SFJ, the surgeon needs to ligate all these tributaries and + GSV to prevent recurrence of varicose veins

Question 26

How many tributaries join the GSV at the SFJ and what are they draining

Answer 26

At least 6 | Draining perineum, lower abdo/groin

Question 27

What is the other name for superficial vein thrombosis SVT

Answer 27

Superficial throbophlebitis

Question 28

does the clot in superficial venous system pose any threat of PE

Answer 28

Yes

Question 29

Where the thrombus should be in the superficial system near the juction within the deep system to pose a threat of PE and treat as DVT

Answer 29

Within 2 cm of the deep system

Question 30

what is felt with an enlarged superficial vein with clot

Answer 30

Leg discomfort

Question 31

why is the clot unlikely to dislodge from the superficial veins compared with deep

Answer 31

Because superficial veins are NOT surrounded by muscles. Instead, superficial are surrounded by fascia

Question 32

Where do must SVT occur

Answer 32

Vericose veins

Question 33

What is the % of saphenous vein duplication below the knee

Answer 33

30%

Question 34

Medial calf perforators connect what

Answer 34

Posterior accessory vein of LSV and posterior tibial vein

Question 35

Where does the short saphenous vein arise from (SSV), where does it course, where does it dump into

Answer 35

Dorsal venous arch of lateral aspect passing behind lateral malleolus Runs posterolateral up calf Dump into popliteal vossa

Question 36

the giacomini vein is what? How does it course

Answer 36

It is the SSV BUT it passes more superiorly in thigh to join profunda femoris vein NOT the popliteal vein in pop crease

Question 37

Perforator vein role (2)

Answer 37

Superficial to deep | Keeps blood from pooling at skin level

Question 38

Standard sites for perforators (2)

Answer 38

Junction midthigh to distal thigh | At calf

Question 39

If deep and perforators become incompetent, where does blood go?

Answer 39

Superficial system

Question 40

Where does superficial thrombophlebitis occur

Answer 40

Basilic and cephalic veins

Question 41

where do basilic/cephalic veins dump into

Answer 41

Subclavian vein

Question 42

What is the most common cause of SVT in upper limb

Answer 42

IV infusion - chemical injury to vein wall - inflammation - inevitable thrombosis

Question 43

SVT in upper limb is associated with (2)

Answer 43

Trosseau’s syndrome | Buerger’s disease

Question 44

Does SVT accompany DVT of upper limb

Answer 44

Yes, it is often SVT accompanies DVT in the upper limb

Question 45

What are the findings of SVT in the upper limb (3)

Answer 45

Palpable tender cord in neck/axilla Bluish discolouration fingers Aching pain forearm exacerbated by exercise