title: Echographic landmark of cephalic and collateral accessory vein at forearm in preoperative evaluation for hemodialysis angioaccess.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Superficial veins in the upper arm differ according to their relationship to the superficial fascia. We investigated the echographic landmark of the cephalic vein (CV) to correctly distinguish it from the collateral accessory vein (CAV) before hemodialysis angioaccess creation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive patients were evaluated by ultrasonographic scan. The echographic features of CV and CAV together with their relationship were described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five percent of patients presented both CV and CAV (75% CAV laterally located, 25% medially located). CV and CAV diameters were 2.9 (±0.65) and 2.0 (±0.70), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CV differs from CAV for its anatomic location at forearm. Such a difference is clearly evident under ultrasound examination, despite any recommendation in ultrasound guidelines. Whether the exclusive use of CV for angioaccess creation can lead to a better outcome will be ascertained by further studies.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, UOC Nephrology, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Rome - Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scrivano
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pettorini
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fazzari
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Punzo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Menè
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery