The Venous Garland of Sahli

The Venous Garland of Sahli (VGS), is a distinctive pattern of telangiectasias written of in German texts but not defined in English-language literature. These telangiectasias are linearly arranged either around the inferior aperture of the thorax or as a steep inverted chevron on the upper back as if draped across the shoulders. The sign is classically associated with emphysema, as first described by Hermann Sahli in 1885. A cohort of 872 Australians receiving regular skin checks and total body photography revealed a prevalence of VGS of 2.6%, with no significant association to lung disease. All appearances of VGS remained stable over 2 years of follow-up.