Varicose veins
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Varicose veins Microchapters |
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Case Studies |
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Varicose veins On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Varicose veins |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Varicosities; venous insufficiency; phlebectasia
Complications
Most varicose veins are relatively benign, but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.
- Pain, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hours thus hindering work
- Skin conditions / Dermatitis which could predispose skin loss
- Bleeding : life threatening bleed from injury to the varicose vein
- Ulcer : non healing varicose ulcer could threaten limb amputation.
- Development of carcinoma or sarcoma in longstanding venous ulcers. There have been over 100 reported cases of malignant transformation and the rate is reported as 0.4% to 1%.[1]
- Coagulation of blood in varicose veins cause superficial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE) & could precipitate stroke in the rare case of predisposed individuals (that is, patients with patent foramen ovale).
External Links
- Varicose Veins and varicosities
- Varicose Vein overview
- NHS Direct - Varicose Veins
- Varicose Veins Society for Vascular Surgery patient pages. Good illustrations.
- Varicose Vein Treatment in Australasia Information from the Australasian College of Phlebology Website
- Venous disease forum Blog for physicians to collaborate on vein disease treatment
- Varicose veins: Operation Script on Wikisurgery.
- Varicose veins: Information for patients on Wikisurgery
References
- ↑ Goldman M. Sclerotherapy, Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins. Hardcover Text, 2nd Ed, 1995