Anatomy of Saphenopopliteal Junction According to CT Venography and Duplex Ultrasound

Small saphenous vein is registered in up to 15% of varicoe veins patients. Invasive treatment is preferable. However, recurrence rate after procedure is about 64%. The basis for any invasive treatment is anatomical data. The last ones are variable for saphenopopliteal junction. Objective. To analyze the anatomical features of saphenopopliteal junction considering CT venography and duplex ultrasound data. Material and methods. We consecutively enrolled 150 individuals aged 39-70 years without vascular pathology of the lower limbs who underwent CT venography and duplex ultrasound. Results. Saphenopopliteal junction was observed in 62.5% of cases. In most cases, it was localized lateral to popliteal vein. Other sites of entry of terminal segment of small saphenous vein were sural veins (24%), deep veins of the thigh (12%), and subcutaneous veins of the thigh/calf (10.5%). Length of subfascial part of terminal segment of small saphenous vein varied from 7.6 to 20.9 mm according to ultrasound data and from 8.6 to 24.3 mm according to CT phlebography data. Angle of entry of terminal segment of small saphenous vein varied from 44° to 48.3° according to ultrasound data and from 34.6° to 41.2° according to CT phlebography data. Subcutaneous tributaries near saphenopopliteal junction were identified in 40% of cases. Conclusions. Four variants of terminal segment of small saphenous vein were identified. The most common one was variant with formation of saphenopopliteal junction and cranial continuation.