Caliber Of Vein Research Articles

An Embryological Correlation with the Incidence of Retro Aortic Left Renal Vein

A knowledge of the variations of renal vascular anatomy has importance in exploration and treatment of renal trauma, renal transplantation, renal artery embolization, angioplasty or vascular reconstruction for congenital and acquired lesions, surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm and conservative radical renal surgery.The study was conducted on 86 adult cadavers during routine dissection at various medical colleges. Various morphometrical datas were collected regarding the length, breadth, caliber of retro aortic left renal vein and its draining pattern. In our study the incidence was about 2.4 %. The retro-aortic left renal vein is a malformation characterized by the presence of vessels that drain the left renal blood upto inferior vena cava crossing behind the aorta.

Adventitial cystic disease of the femoral vein in a 5-year-old boy mimicking deep venous thrombosis

Adventitial cystic disease of the vein is a rare vascular anomaly with 32 reported cases. A 5-year-old boy initially presented with painless leg swelling. He was misdiagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and treated with 3 months of warfarin. When swelling failed to improve, a magnetic resonance venogram showed a mural cystic lesion of the left common femoral vein. In the operating room, the cyst was excised, relieving the obstructive effect and restoring flow. The swelling resolved within days. This is the first reported case of adventitial cystic disease of the vein occurring in a pediatric patient.

P.10 The clinical reliability of spontaneous retinal venous pulsation

Background and AimRhythmic variations in calibre of retinal veins crossing the optic disc indicate normal CSF pressure. Anecdotal observation of SVP in patients with high opening pressure (OP), led us...

Comparison of MR and Contrast Venography of the Cervical Venous System in Multiple Sclerosis

MRV has been proposed as a possible screening method to identify chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, which may play a role in MS. We report our initial experience comparing MRV and CV in MS patients to evaluate venous stenosis and collateral venous drainage. Time-of-flight and time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics MRV and CV were performed in 39 MS patients. The presence and severity of both IJ vein caliber changes and non-IJ collaterals were graded by using a 4-point scale by 2 radiologists in an independent and blinded manner. Both studies frequently showed venous abnormalities, most commonly IJ flattening at the C1 level and in the lower neck. There was moderate-to-good agreement between the modalities (κ = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.45%-0.65%). For collaterals, agreement was only fair (κ = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09%-0.50%). The prevalence of IJ segments graded mild or worse on CV was 54%. If CV was considered a standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MRV was 0.79 (0.71-0.86) and 0.76 (0.67-0.83), respectively. Degree of stenosis was related to the severity of collaterals for CV but not for MRV. IJ caliber changes were seen in characteristic locations on both MRV and CV in MS patients. Agreement between modalities was higher for stenosis than for collaterals. If CV is considered a standard, MRV performance is good but may require additional improvement before MRV can be used for screening.

Prospective validation of two models for ultrasonographic diagnosis of cirrhosis

To perform a prospective validation and comparative analysis of two ultrasonographic diagnostic scores of cirrhosis in patients with silent liver disease. cross-sectional study, prospective and blind. ROC curves evaluated the diagnostic utility of: a) Bologna score (BS): assessment of liver surface nodularity and portal flow velocity, and b) Cadiz score (CS): assessment of liver echo structure, portal vein caliber and spleen area. Liver biopsy was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of cirrhosis. One hundred and thirteen patients, 76 men and 37 women, mean age 44 years old (range 18-73 years) referred for evaluation of chronic liver disease without clinical or biochemical evidence of advanced disease (absence of jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy, malnutrition or coagulopathy). Cirrhosis was diagnosed in 25 patients (22.1%). BS: sensitivity 84%, specificity 79.5%, area under the ROC curve 86.7%. CS: sensitivity 84%, specificity 89.8%, area under the ROC curve 92.4%. Portal vein was not displayed in 7 patients(6%) and portal flow velocity was not recorded in 13 (11.5%). These results agree with those obtained in the original articles developing both scores. There were no statistically significant differences between the two scores. Specificity reached 97% with joint use of both models, but sensitivity decreased to 72%. Presence or absence of cirrhosis in patients with silent liver disease can be established by Doppler ultrasound with high diagnostic accuracy. The joint use of both scores has high diagnostic specificity. Both diagnostic models are highly re-producible.

Influência da inversão do diâmetro veia porta/veia esplênica nos resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da hipertensão portal esquistossomótica

To evaluate the morbidity and mortality in surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension in patients with inversion of the Portal/Splenic Vein diameter ratio. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing surgical treatment of portal hypertension in the period between September 1993 and January 2004. The study population was divided into two groups: a) Inversion--splenic vein diameter greater than or equal to portal vein's--and b) control group (portal vein diameter greater than the splenic vein's). Statistical comparisons used the Student t test for averages difference, chi-square test for proportions difference and Fisher's exact test for small samples. 169 patients were analyzed, with follow-up averaging 23.6 months. Twenty-one patients (12.4%) had splenic vein caliber greater of equal than the portal vein's (Inversion--study group). The mean preoperative diameter of the portal and splenic veins were respectively 1.49 and 1.14 cm in the control group, and 0.98 versus 1.07 cm in the inversion group. The portal vein diameter was significantly higher in the control group when compared to the inversion group (p <0.05). Varices in the gastric fundus were found in 33.3% of the inversion group and in 38.5% of patients in the control group. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 23.1% of patients in the inversion group and in 13.4% of the control group ones (p > 0.05). In the postoperative evaluation with Doppler ultrasonography of portal vessels, no cases of portal vein thrombosis were observed in the inversion group, whilst in the control group portal thrombosis was identified in 16.9% of the patients (p <0.05). Death occurred in one (4.8%) individual from the inversion group; mortality was 4.1% in the control group (p>0.05). The mean serum level of platelets was significantly lower (65,950/mm²) in the inversion group than in the controls (106,647/mm²) (p<0.05). The results suggest that the reversal of portal/splenic vein caliber ratio does not represent a contraindication to surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension.

Ausencia de interferencias analíticas por anestésicos locales en constituyentes bioquímicos del suero

Obtaining blood samples for analysis in paediatric patients is a complex process due to the small calibre of veins and arteries, and their fragility, and in particular, the nervous stress that these patients suffer during the extraction. This situation means that the quantity of blood is limited or insufficient and biochemical measurements cannot be made. There is currently great interest in the use of anaesthetics to avoid traumatic extractions.

The Saphenous Vein as a Bypass Conduit: The Potential Role of Vascular Nerves in Graft Performance

The saphenous vein is the most commonly used conduit in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. However, a high proportion of vein grafts occlude within the first year and over 50% patients require further grafting within 10 years. Using conventional harvesting techniques the saphenous vein is damaged due to considerable surgical and mechanical trauma, a situation that affects graft patency. As a superficial vessel located in the leg, the saphenous vein in man is subjected to variations in orthostatic pressure associated with exercise and alterations in posture. These conditions require the vein's calibre to be regulated predominantly by the autonomic nervous system. While posture-induced changes occur in man, and other bipeds, such alterations in pressure may not occur or be more subtle in other species, conditions that may limit the usefulness of various experimental models. The neural control of the saphenous vein is under the influence of a plethora of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides which, apart from affecting vascular tone, possess mitogenic properties that may contribute to morphological changes caused by vascular injury. In addition to their neurotransmitter role a number of factors have a direct action on vascular smooth muscle cells that affects neural blood flow with subsequent influence on peripheral nerve conduction. Such neurovascular actions may potentially play a role in the altered vein reactivity and structure involved in graft failure. In this review we discuss the pressure changes experienced by the saphenous vein, its innervation and use as a bypass graft for revascularization of ischaemic tissue, in particular the myocardium. Also, we consider the value of various common experimental techniques for studying vasoactive and mitogenic factors and their potential role in vein graft performance.

An ultrasound and histomorphological analysis of experimental liver cirrhosis in rats

We investigated whether liver injury by dual exposure to ethanol and carbon tetrachloride (EtOH + CCl4) for 15 weeks would persist after hepatotoxic agents were removed (EtOH + CCl4/8wR). After 15 weeks of hepatic injury with ethanol (5.5%, m/v) and carbon tetrachloride (0.05, mL/kg, ip), 5 of 11 female Wistar rats were sacrificed. The other 6 rats were maintained for an additional 8 weeks without hepatotoxic agents. Ultrasonography showed increased liver echogenicity and dilation of portal vein caliber in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 0.22 +/- 0.01 cm, P < 0.001; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 0.21 +/- 0.02 cm, P < 0.01) vs control (0.16 +/- 0.02 cm). Histopathology showed regenerative nodules in both experimental groups. Histomorphometry revealed increased fibrosis content in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 12.6 +/- 2.64%, P < 0.001; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 10.4 +/- 1.36%, P < 0.05) vs control (2.2 +/- 1.21%). Collagen types I and III were increased in groups EtOH + CCl4 (collagen I: 2.5 +/- 1.3%, P < 0.01; collagen III: 1.3 +/- 0.2%, P < 0.05) and EtOH + CCl4/8wR (collagen I: 1.8 +/- 0.06%, P < 0.05; collagen III: 1.5 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.01) vs control (collagen I: 0.38 +/- 0.11%; collagen III: 0.25 +/- 0.06%). Tissue transglutaminase increased in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 66.4 +/- 8%, P < 0.01; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 58.8 +/- 21%, P < 0.01) vs control (7.9 +/- 0.8%). Cirrhosis caused by the association of CCl4-EtOH remained for at least 8 weeks after removal of these hepatotoxic agents. Ultrasound images can be a useful tool to evaluate advanced hepatic alterations.

Bone Marrow Cell Transplant does Not Prevent or Reverse Murine Liver Cirrhosis

We tested the effect of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in either preventing or reversing cirrhosis on an experimental model of chronic liver disease. Female Wistar rats were fed a liquid alcohol diet and received intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) over 15 weeks. Ten animals (cell-treated group) received five injections of BMCs during the cirrhosis induction protocol (on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks) and four animals received the cells after liver injury was established through tail vein. Nine animals (nontreated group) were submitted to the previously described protocols; however, they received vehicle injections. Analyses were performed to verify whether the infusion of cells was effective in preventing the development of cirrhosis in our model of induction, and if the cells could reverse cirrhosis once it was established. Hepatic architecture and fibrotic septa were analyzed in liver slices stained with hematoxilin & eosin and Sirius red, respectively. Fibrosis quantification was measured by Sirius red histomorphometry. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed to detect the amount of tissue transglutaminase 2. Blood analyses were performed to assess liver injury and function by the assessment of alanine aminotransferase and albumin. Ultrasound was performed to analyze the portal vein caliber and presence of ascitis. Cirrhosis features (regenerative nodules and fibrous septa) were observed in histopathology after 15 weeks of continuous hepatic injury in nontreated and cell-treated groups. Collagen content, immunofluorescence analysis, and biochemical and ultrasound parameters were similar in nontreated and cell-treated groups; however, both groups showed significant differences compared to a normal control group. Cell infusions with bone marrow-derived cells seem to be ineffective in improving morphofunctional parameters of the liver when applied to chronic cases either during or after establishment of the hepatic lesion.

Venous complications following petrosal vein sectioning in surgery of petrous apex meningiomas

Objective Meningiomas involving the petrous apex regularly show a close relationship with the superior petrosal vein which is sometimes obliterated during surgery due to its proximity to the tumour. However, there is no study available so far focusing on the frequency of postoperative venous congestion related complications following petrosal vein obliteration as well as on pre- and intraoperative findings related to them. Methods Fifty-nine patients with meningiomas involving the petrous apex were analyzed concerning the intraoperative preservation or sacrifice of the petrosal vein and postoperative complications related to venous occlusion. Results When a petrosal vein was occluded, in 9 of 30 cases venous-related complications occurred with a minor venous-congestion phenomenon in seven cases and major complications in two cases. When the petrosal vein complex was preserved, there were no similar complications. Conclusion Preservation of the petrosal venous complex, especially of large caliber veins, should be attempted whenever possible to increase the safety of surgery. In cases of petrosal vein obliteration, effective brainstem decompression following tumour removal is essential to minimizing the risk of cerebellar congestion.

Accessory Veins and Radial-Cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula Non-Maturation: A Prospective Analysis Using Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Purpose To determine if large caliber accessory veins are associated with radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) non-maturation. Methods RC-AVFs were created in 15 consecutive patients (radial artery and cephalic vein diameter &gt;2 mm, in the absence of arterial inflow or venous outflow stenoses or occlusions). Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) was performed preoperatively for the determination of vessel diameters, stenoses and occlusions. The location and caliber of accessory veins was determined. Vascular access (VA) function was monitored and all interventions required to obtain a functioning VA were recorded. Non-maturation was defined as a nonfunctional VA at 2 months after creation. The predictive value of accessory vein caliber for prediction of RC-AVF non-maturation was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Non-maturation occurred in 10 (67%) out of 15 RC-AVFs. Large caliber accessory veins (n=4), venous stenosis (n=3) or both (n=2) were associated with RC-AVF non-maturation. The presence of large caliber accessory veins was the only significant predictor for RC-AVF non-maturation (p=0.01). Preoperatively detected accessory veins with a diameter &gt;70% of the cephalic vein diameter, had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80, 100, 100 and 91% for prediction of RC-AVF non-maturation on patient level. Accessory vein ligation and dilatation of venous stenosis resulted in an overall salvage success rate of 89% (8/9). Conclusion Large caliber accessory veins are associated with RC-AVF non-maturation. Ligation of large caliber accessory veins is a successful salvage procedure in a substantial group of patients. Furthermore, ligation of these accessory veins during initial RC-AVF creation can potentially reduce non-maturation rates; and therefore, preoperative assessment of accessory veins is recommended.

A Modified technique of radial forearm free flap anastomosis

e trace the venae comitantes beyond the bifurcation of the rachial artery until they join the superficial system at the ntecubital fossa. There is usually a communicating vein that onnects the superficial and deep venous systems.1 Gottlieb t al. have described the use of this profundus cubitalis vein o improve the venous drainage of a radial forearm flap.2 The utline of the flap and the course of the pedicle are marked on he arm. The skin paddle is dissected together with the pedicle radial artery and venae comitantes). When the dissection eaches the proximal aspect close to the end of the radial rtery the venae comitantes are traced towards the antecubital ossa until they join the superficial system (Figs. 1 and 2). his technique helps to achieve a single large calibre vein that educes vessel mismatch and makes the anastomosis easier ithout having to resort to the dissection of a separate vein, uch as the cephalic vein.

The Right Subclavian Vein Can Be Used as a Surrogate of the Inferior Vena Cava, as an Echocardiographic Indicator of Systemic Venous Congestion

Respiratory variations in the caliber of the inferior vena cava, imaged in the subcostal view with the patient supine, correlated well with respiratory variation in the caliber of the right subclavian vein with the patient reclining at a 45 degrees angle. The subclavian vein was imaged by a right supraclavicular approach. We suggest that the right subclavian vein caliber be used as a surrogate of the inferior vena cava caliber when the latter cannot be used because of obesity, epigastric tenderness, or other reasons.

A novel VEGFR3 mutation causes Milroy disease

Milroy disease, also known as primary congenital lymphedema, is a hereditary form of lymphedema with autosomal dominant inheritance. Individuals with Milroy disease are typically characterized by congenital onset of lymphedema of the lower limbs due to hypoplasia of the lymphatic vessels. The genetic basis of most cases of Milroy disease has not been established, although mutations in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor VEGFR3 (FLT-4) are responsible for some cases with 17 mutations described to date. In this report, we describe a novel VEGFR3 mutation in exon 22 in a four-generation family in which congenital lymphedema segregates in an autosomal dominant manner. In addition to lymphedema, affected family members had other clinical manifestations associated with Milroy disease including hydrocele, ski jump toenails, large caliber veins, and subcutaneous thickening. We screened VEGFR3 for mutations which revealed a novel 3059A>T transversion in exon 22 resulting in Q1020L missense mutation in the second tyrosine kinase domain of VEGFR3. This mutant allele segregated with lymphedema among affected individuals with incomplete penetrance. This is the first report of an exon 22 mutation in Milroy disease.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome treated with thrombolytics and immediate surgery

Reviewed are the results of the emergent treatment of effort thrombosis of the subclavian vein. The protocol calls for immediate thrombolysis, followed by surgery at the time of the acute event. The one-stage procedure includes decompression of the thoracic inlet by subclavicular removal of the first rib, subclavius muscle, scalenectomy, and vein patch plasty of the stenotic segment of the vein. Between July 1985 through June 2006, 114 patients presented with Paget-Schroetter syndrome (effort thrombosis of the subclavian vein), 97 of which (group I) were seen < or =2 weeks of onset of symptoms. They underwent an emergent protocol treatment in which thrombolysis is immediately followed by surgery at the time of the acute event. In addition, another 17 patients (group II) were referred to our institution after being treated elsewhere with initial thrombolysis, but with surgery deferred a mean 34 days (range, 2 weeks to 3 months) after the initial event. All patients underwent the same lytic and surgical protocol. Operability was determined by the findings on the venogram. Routine postoperative anticoagulation for 8 weeks was implemented with warfarin and clopidogrel. There was 100% success in re-establishing the flow and normal caliber of the subclavian vein in the 97 patients in group I. Seven patients showed some residual stenosis that required balloon plasty and implant of a stent. Postoperative duplex ultrasound imaging documented patency in all 97 patients (100%). The 17 patients with delayed surgery (group II) showed progression of the fibrosis, with vein obstruction in 12 (70%). Only five patients (29%) were operable with successful results. The remaining 12 patients were inoperable owing to extensive fibrosis and occlusion of the inflow, and all 12 have remained disabled for the use of their arm. The emergent approach to treat Paget-Schroetter syndrome seems to render the optimal results, with 100% effectiveness in re-establishing venous flow and normal caliber to the vessel. When properly conducted, this operation avoids the use of stents or balloon plasty with excellent long-term results, leaving the patients unrestricted for physical activities.

Renal veins and venous extension in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

AbstractThe 2002 TNM formulation defines a pT3b tumor as one that ‘extends into the renal vein or its segmental (muscle containing) branches.' This definition elicits uncertainty when veins with little muscle are involved or the relationship to the main renal vein is unknown. The diameter and medial thickness of 10 normal renal venous systems were studied and compared to sinus veins involved in 54 pT3b clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CC). All tumors were grossly examined and sampled for histology by the author. An immunoperoxidase cocktail containing CD 31 and actin, Masson trichrome and elastic stains were employed to aid identification of intravenous tumor. The venous dissections showed variable numbers of primary and secondary divisions with substantial overlap in diameter and medial thickness. The medial thickness decreased with each proximal division and ranged from being nonexistent to being thick. Study of the 54 pT3b CC revealed that the initial phase of extrarenal extension involved large caliber veins draining the primary tumor. With extensive venous involvement, tumor invaded through the vein wall into sinus fat or demonstrated retrograde venous extension into adjacent cortex. Correlation between gross and histology revealed that most nodules of tumor within the sinus fat contained evidence of pre-existing veins. The following observations were made: (1) the diameter of a sinus vein or the quantity of muscle is a poor indicator of vein segment or relationship to the main renal vein; therefore, the wording used to define pT3b should be clarified; (2) extrarenal spread in CC begins with intravenous extension whereas sinus fat invasion is usually secondary; (3) retrograde venous extension occurs in cases with massive renal vein involvement; and (4) nodules within the sinus fat usually represent venous involvement.

P05.09: Case report: anceps acardius, an uncommon form of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in triplets

The objective of the present report is to contribute data of the detection of a rare condition of acardius fetus. A 36 year-old patient was derived to this institution for a karyotype study in triple pregnancy with one of the fetuses with unconfirmed severe malformations. In a first study at 16.2 weeks was observed: Fetus I: BPD 33 mm, Femur 22 mm, FHR and FM (+). Fetus II: BPD 34 mm, Femur 21 mm, FHR and FM (+). Increased cardiac volume, body fluid accumulation, hepatosplenomegaly, increased caliber of intraheptic umbilical vein. Fetus III: BPD 19 mm, CRL 84 mm. rudimentary cephalic polo, with occipital cephalocle, cystic hygroma, hydrops, single chamber heart, rudimentary thorax and limbs. Placenta with increased thickness (39 mm). The presence of these data suggested diagnosis of Anceps Acardius fetus. Pulsed and color Doppler in the malformed fetus revealed: antegrade flow in the umbilical vein; retrograde flow in one of the umbilical arteries, pulsating antegrade flow in the other umbilical artery that showed small caliber and high resistance pattern. Chorion villus sampling presented karyotype 46 xx. At 26 weeks death of the pump twin, and as consequence the acardius was verified. At 28 weeks: ruptured membranes, Cesarean section obtains a 900gr live fetus which is sent to Intensive care unit. Fetus II pump of 390 gr. Fetus III Acardius 330 gr. Pathological anatomy of the acardius fetus: microcephaly with occipital cephalocele, single cavity heart, absence of kidneys and lungs. The diagnosis difficulties were present due to the existence of cephalic pole and to the presence of pulsating cardiac cavity in this case of anceps acardius. The visualization of a multiple pregnancy, with the presence of a fetus with pump signs, and the other fetus with the most severe malformations in the upper part of the body induced to make color Doppler with the purpose of observing arterial and vein umbilical flow, confirming the suspicion of TRAP sequence.

Reverse Trendelenberg Position and Femoral Vein Caliber

Reverse Trendelenberg Position and Femoral Vein Caliber

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative detection of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplant candidates

The detection of main portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on preoperative imaging of liver transplant candidates has important technical implications for the transplantation procedure. Data are scarce regarding the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at detecting PVT. The aim of our study was to compare preoperative findings of the portal vein on MRI to operative findings at liver transplantation. Abdominal MRI and clinical records of 172 consecutive patients who received liver transplants between January 1999 and September 2004 were reviewed. Two radiologists independently evaluated the last abdominal magnetic resonance examinations obtained before liver transplantation, blinded to the original reading, operative findings, and clinical data. Findings on MRI were compared with intraoperative findings at transplantation. Main PVT was detected in 12 patients, in whom 8 were found to have thrombus at surgery, with 6 requiring a jump graft or thrombectomy. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detecting main PVT were 100% and 98%, respectively. The cause of discordance between findings on MRI and at transplantation in 2 cases was a diminutive caliber of the main portal vein that was interpreted as recanalized chronic thrombosis on MRI. In conclusion, in our study group MRI detected PVT in all liver transplant recipients requiring jump grafts at transplantation. The major reason for a false-positive MRI was a diminutive but patent portal vein.