1/5. Post-stripping sclerodermiform dermatitis.BACKGROUND: Cutaneous sclerosis, a process that results in hardening of the skin, is the hallmark of scleroderma and sclerodermoid disorders. Cutaneous sclerosis is usually classified as secondary or primary, depending on the presence or absence of underlying diseases. Primary cutaneous sclerosis is a feature of idiopathic inflammatory processes that are often associated with autoimmune disorders, whereas secondary cutaneous sclerosis arises in the context of many pathological processes of varying causes, including chronic graft-vs-host disease, defined metabolic or genetic disorders, and exposure to certain infectious organisms, drugs, or chemicals. OBSERVATIONS: Three patients had localized cutaneous sclerosis overlying the site of a surgically removed (stripped) great saphenous vein. In all 3 patients, lesions were clinically characterized by multiple hypopigmented and indurated plaques distributed linearly along the path of the preexisting vein. Extensive history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests did not reveal known predisposing factors for cutaneous sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although the observed association of sclerodermiform dermatitis and venous stripping in these 3 patients does not imply a causal relationship, the absence of other identifiable predisposing factors and the striking linear distribution of the cutaneous lesions along the path of the preexisting vein are suggestive. This poststripping sclerodermiform dermatitis may be a rare late complication of saphenous vein stripping.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography for visualization of ectopic varices.We report the case of a 62-year-old male with portal hypertension and recurrent bleeding refractory to surgical intervention from varices in a sigmoid stoma. Although stomal varices were detected neither by physical examination, stomal endoscopy, nor duplex sonography, contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography of the portal vein and its collateral branches demonstrated their presence. Surgical revisions of the stoma failed to prevent bleeding, but implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic shunt successfully prevented recurrent hemorrhage. This case indicates that contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography is useful to detect this rare complication of portal hypertension and helps to tailor adequate treatment in patients with recurrent bleeding from stomal varices.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. klippel-trenaunay-weber syndrome: appearance in utero.We were able to detect hemihypertrophy of a fetus in a routine prenatal ultrasound examination. The presence of hemangiomas and varicose veins in the hypertrophied left lower extremity at birth enabled us to diagnose the klippel-trenaunay-weber syndrome. The possibility of a congenital arteriovenous fistula causing the constellation of findings was ruled out by a nuclear flow study and a thorough physical examination. A computerized tomographic scan revealed that the hemangiomas were superficial in the hypertrophied left lower extremity and did not interrupt the deep muscle bundles.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Persistent sciatic artery in association with varicosities and limb length discrepancy: an unrecognized entity?The persistence of the sciatic artery is an unusual occurrence, with an angiographically demonstrated incidence of 0.06%. There have been 71 cases previously reported. We report an additional case in a 14-year-old boy who presented with a chief complaint of unsightly varices. The involved right limb was notably shorter than the uninvolved left lower extremity. work-up included physical examination, duplex studies, venography, and angiography. Our patient was found to have a patent deep venous anatomy with valvular incompetency associated with complete persistence of the sciatic artery and a foreshortened right leg. He has done well with conservative treatment. The persistence of a sciatic artery has occasionally been associated with other anomalies including Mullerian and left renal agenesis, A-V fistula formation, hypertrophy or hypotrophy, multiple hemangiomata, neurofibromatosis, or anomalies of leg arteries. The literature describes three previous case reports in which patients presented with gross varicosities and were incidentally found to have persistent sciatic arteries as well as limb length discrepancies. Our patient is a fourth example of this syndrome. This pattern of physical attributes has not been previously described as a distinct entity. The association of venous incompetency, limb discrepancies, and persistence of the sciatic artery may be an incidental finding or may represent a related embryologic event. This relationship merits consideration in a young patient presenting with severe venous varicosities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Primary varicose veins of the upper extremity: a report of three cases.Primary varicose veins of the upper extremity are extremely rare. We present three cases and discuss cause, diagnosis, and treatment. Three patients, a 23-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman, and a 39-year-old man, were referred with symptomatic varicose veins of the arm. None of the patients had lower extremity varicosities. diagnosis was made by physical examination, noninvasive and invasive procedures, and excluded vascular malformations. Surgical treatment, similar to that for lower extremity varicose veins, entailed ligation and stripping of the varicose veins. ligation and stripping were performed and successfully eliminated the varicosities with prevention of recurrence with a mean follow-up of 17 months. Although primary varicose veins of the upper extremity are extremely rare, they can be readily diagnosed and successfully treated, similar to lower extremity varicose veins. Although not proven, the cause is likely identical to lower extremity varicose veins. Excellent functional and cosmetic results can be obtained with surgical treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |