The superficial femoral vein. A potentially lethal misnomer
W. P. Bundens, J. J. Bergan, N. A. Halasz, J. Murray and M. Drehobl
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0643, USA.
OBJECTIVE--To assess the potential for error in interpretation of venous
duplex reports that use the term "superficial femoral vein." DESIGN--Three
surveys conducted by mail. SETTING--Three multispecialty medical groups,
anatomy departments of all US medical schools, and vascular laboratories.
PARTICIPANTS--A total of 46 family practitioners and general internists, 95
chairpersons of departments of anatomy, and 85 laboratory directors. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES--Proposed treatment of a patient with leg pain and an
acute thrombosis of the superficial femoral vein; what nomenclature(s) for
the deep thigh veins is (are) felt to be correct, what are acceptable
alternatives, what is taught to students and which is preferred; and what
terminology is being used in lower limb venous duplex reports.
RESULTS--Only 24% (11/46) of the respondents would have administered
anticoagulants to the patient as described. Only 3% (3/95) of anatomists
felt the term "superficial femoral vein" was correct, 22% (21/95) felt it
was an acceptable alternative (though only 9% [9/95] taught it to medical
students), and only 7% (7/95) of anatomists felt the term was preferred for
everyday use. The term "superficial femoral vein" is used by 93% (79/85) of
vascular laboratories in lower limb venous duplex reports.
CONCLUSION--Although the overwhelming majority of vascular laboratories use
the term "superficial femoral vein" in venous duplex reports, the use of
this term is potentially hazardous to patients. Most primary care
physicians have not been taught and are not aware that the superficial
femoral vein is a deep vein and that acute thrombosis of this vessel is
potentially life threatening.
