Saphena varix

Saphena Varix

Saphena varix (pronunciation: sa-FEE-na VAH-riks) is a medical condition characterized by the dilation or enlargement of the saphenous vein near the ankle or knee.

Etymology

The term "saphena varix" is derived from the Latin word "saphena", which refers to the saphenous vein, and the Latin word "varix", which means swollen or enlarged.

Definition

Saphena varix is a condition that occurs when the saphenous vein, the longest vein in the human body, becomes dilated or enlarged. This typically occurs near the ankle or knee. The condition is often mistaken for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to similar symptoms such as swelling and pain in the affected area.

Symptoms

Symptoms of saphena varix may include:

• Swelling in the affected area
• Pain or discomfort
• Visible, enlarged veins
• Skin changes, such as discoloration or ulcers

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of saphena varix typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests such as an ultrasound. The condition can often be differentiated from DVT by the fact that the swelling decreases when the patient's leg is raised.

Treatment

Treatment for saphena varix may include:

• Compression stockings to help improve blood flow
• Sclerotherapy, a procedure that involves injecting a solution into the vein to close it
• Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from a laser to close the vein

Related Terms

• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Venous insufficiency
• Saphenous vein

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Saphena varix
• Wikipedia's article - Saphena varix

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski