title: Three-dimensional evaluation of the anatomic variations of the femoral vein and popliteal vein in relation to the accompanying artery by using CT venography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We wanted to describe the three-dimensional (3D) anatomic variations of the femoral vein (FV) and popliteal vein (PV) in relation to the accompanying artery using CT venography.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 445 bilateral (890 limbs) lower limb CT venograms. After the 3D relationship between the FV and PV and accompanying artery was analyzed, the presence or absence of variation was determined and the observed variations were classified. In each patient, the extent and location of the variations and the location of the adductor hiatus were recorded to investigate the regional frequency of the variations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THERE WERE FOUR DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF VARIATIONS: agenesis (3 limbs, 0.3%), multiplication (isolated in the FV: 190 limbs, 21%; isolated in the PV: 14 limbs, 2%; and in both the FV and PV: 51 limbs, 6%), anatomical course variation (75 limbs, 8%) and high union of the tibial veins (737 limbs, 83%). The course variations included medial malposition (60 limbs, 7%), anterior rotation (11 limbs, 1%) and posterior rotation (4 limbs, 0.4%). Mapping the individual variations revealed regional differences in the pattern and frequency of the variations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT venography helps to confirm a high incidence of variations in the lower limb venous anatomy and it also revealed various positional venous anomalies in relation to the respective artery.
authors: Department of Radiology and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
authors: Eun-Ah
authors: EA
authors: Park
authors: Jin Wook
authors: JW
authors: Chung
authors: Whal
authors: W
authors: Lee
authors: Yong Hu
authors: YH
authors: Yin
authors: Jongwon
authors: J
authors: Ha
authors: Sang Joon
authors: SJ
authors: Kim
authors: Jae Hyung
authors: JH
authors: Park
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008 Oct;191(4):1186-91
references: 18806163
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1986 Apr;146(4):845-8
references: 3485360
references: Radiology. 2003 Aug;228(2):443-8
references: 12821771
references: Aust N Z J Surg. 2000 Jun;70(6):438-40
references: 10843400
references: Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1992 Oct;175(4):309-14
references: 1411886
references: Korean J Radiol. 2008 Jan-Feb;9(1):59-66
references: 18253077
references: J Ultrasound Med. 1994 Apr;13(4):243-50
references: 7932987
references: Radiology. 1998 Feb;206(2):397-401
references: 9457192
references: J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2007 Jul-Aug;31(4):649-56
references: 17882048
references: J Vasc Surg. 2010 Sep;52(3):714-9
references: 20598472
references: J Ultrasound Med. 1990 Apr;9(4):235-8
references: 2184247
references: J Vasc Surg. 2005 Apr;41(4):719-24
references: 15874941
references: Clin Radiol. 1996 Sep;51(9):622-4
references: 8810690
references: Phlebology. 2007;22(5):194-206
references: 18269070