title: To treat or not to treat basilic vein aneurysms? A clinical dilemma.
abstract: Superficial venous aneurysms are a very uncommon disease probably associated with thrombosis and recurrent pulmonary thromboembolisms. Surgical treatment is safe and is performed in symptomatic cases. Surgical repair of superficial venous aneurysms is a recommended treatment, and no postoperative complications usually occur. The aim of this study is to report our experience treating superficial venous aneurysms, because they can cause devastating consequences. Obviously, they should be surgically treated if they are symptomatic, but there exists the possibility of complications such as thromboembolic events; however, they are unpredictable. Thus, the only solution to remove the potential risk of developing pulmonary or other embolic events is prophylactic surgery and anticoagulant therapy, also in low-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, O. U. General and Oncologic Surgery, Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital of Catania, University of Catania, Catania, Italy catena-spataro@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Catena
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spataro
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, O. U. General and Oncologic Surgery, Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital of Catania, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, O. U. General and Oncologic Surgery, Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital of Catania, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Basile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Superficial venous aneurysm; basilic vein; pulmonary thromboembolism; surgical treatment