Bilateral anomalous veins arising from the popliteal vein with variant termination of the short saphenous vein: a case report

Abstract This report explores the presence of bilateral anomalous veins with variant termination of the small saphenous veins (SSV) in both lower limbs. The SSV originated normally on the right side, draining into an anomalous vein from the popliteal vein. This vein then ascended cranially to the back of the thigh and terminated in the thigh veins. On the left side, the SSV had its normal draining pattern into the popliteal vein. However, slightly distal to the saphenopopliteal junction, an anomalous vein originated from the popliteal vein, which ascended upwards to the back of the thigh and terminated in the thigh veins. Presence of variant veins are likely to complicate venous ultrasonography and make procedures more difficult for sonographers to perform. Prior knowledge of variant patterns of superficial veins of the lower limbs is useful for clinicians during coronary bypass procedures, as these vessels are commonly used in such surgeries.