From the Guidelines
Saphena varix is primarily caused by incompetent or malfunctioning valves in the great saphenous vein, leading to venous reflux and pooling of blood in the superficial veins. This condition is essentially a varicose vein at the saphenofemoral junction in the groin area, resulting from a combination of factors including genetic predisposition, weakened vascular walls, and increased intravenous pressure 1. Several factors contribute to its development, including:
- Age-related weakening of vein walls and valves
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Genetic predisposition to venous insufficiency The increased pressure from blood pooling causes the vein to dilate and form a soft, compressible swelling that becomes more prominent when standing and may disappear when lying down. This condition is part of chronic venous insufficiency and represents a localized manifestation of the broader problem of venous valve incompetence in the lower extremities. Established risk factors for varicose veins, which are relevant to saphena varix, include family history of venous disease, female sex, older age, and chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure due to obesity, pregnancy, or other factors 1.
From the Research
Causes of Saphena Varix
- Saphena varix is a rare condition characterized by isolated distention of the saphenous vein immediately below the sapheno-femoral junction 2
- The exact cause of saphena varix is not specified in the provided studies, but it can be related to superficial venous incompetence, which is often treated with endovenous interventions such as foam sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) 3, 4
- Great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence is a common cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency, and treatment options for GSV incompetence include surgery, laser and radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy 4
- Small saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence can also be treated with various modalities, including surgery, EVLA, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, with endovenous thermal ablation being preferred over surgery and foam sclerotherapy 5
Related Conditions
- Superficial venous incompetence can lead to varicose veins and venous insufficiency, and can be treated with various endovenous interventions 3, 4
- Great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence is a common cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency 4
- Small saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence can be treated with various modalities, including surgery, EVLA, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy 5
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Saphena varix can be differentiated from other conditions that cause a groin mass through various diagnostic methods 2
- Treatment options for superficial venous incompetence, GSV incompetence, and SSV incompetence include endovenous interventions such as foam sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and EVLA, as well as surgery and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy 3, 4, 5