Greater saphenous vein aneurysms - A case report

Unlike arterial aneurysms, the venous aneurysms are a much less frequent pa thology and clinical experiences are limited to isolated cases. Those invol ving veins of the neck and extremities are the most frequent. The authors r eport one case of two greater saphenous vein aneurysms and comment on the l iterature. The patient was a 43-year-old man with an antecedent right inguinal hernia repair, who had been presenting for the last 4 years because he had a growi ng mass in the right groin, currently measuring 6 cm in diameter, causing l ocal discomfort; this mass was reduced in a recumbent position or with mani pulation; and 7 cm lower there was another similar painless mass measuring 5 cm in diameter. Duplex scanning showed two aneurysms in the greater saphe nous vein, which did not contain thrombus. Phlebography was not carried out . The surgical approach was a complete extraction of the greater saphenous vein. From the review of the literature it is concluded that uncomplicated greate r saphenous vein aneurysms are not associated with pulmonary embolism (unli ke popliteal vein aneurysms) the surgical treatment is indicated when they cause discomfort or for aesthetic reasons.