Summary: | Telangiectasias and varicose veins have been linked to chronic venous valvular insufficiency causing great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux. GSV diameter-reflux correlations were determined in women C1 and/or C2 and unilateral GSV reflux. Subgroups were: i) bilateral C1/C1 (n=106) and ii) refluxing <em>GSV</em> C2/contralateral nonrefluxing C1 or C2 (n=50). <em>GSV</em> included saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), GSV, and major veins in and out of the saphenous compartment at knee and calf. Prevalence and diameters were compared by Chi-square and paired t-test. Reflux prevalence at junction, thigh and calf were 5%, 26% and 71% of 106 refluxing C1 extremities, and 18%, 44% and 72% of 50 refluxing C2 extremities (P=0.007, 0.03, 0.87). Significant diameter increase compared to contralateral nonrefluxing segment (P<0.05) were at: C2 junction, 7.9±1.8 <em>vs</em> 6.6±1.5 mm, and C2 mid-thigh, junction refluxing or not, 4.8±1.1 <em>vs</em> 3.6±1.0 or 4.1±0.8 <em>vs</em> 3.6±0.7 mm. Calf GSV diameters averaged 2.5 to 2.7 mm if reflux was below-knee. Unilateral reflux occurred in calf veins without correlation to diameter. Enlarged diameters were noted in refluxing SFJ and thigh GSV of women with varicose veins.
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