Giacomini vein
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Kusel K, Bell D, et al. Giacomini vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 29 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-21624
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rID:
21624
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.
View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Kieran Kusel had no recorded disclosures.
View Kieran Kusel's current disclosures
Revisions:
6 times, by
5 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Vein of Giacomini
- Thigh extension of long saphenous vein
- Giacomini continuation
- Giacomini veins
The Giacomini vein or thigh extension of the small saphenous vein refers to a variation in lower limb venous anatomy whereby the small saphenous vein (SSV) continues through to the thigh as a distinct branch.
The persistence of this vein may play a contributory role in the development of chronic venous disease. It is, therefore, an important vein to assess during duplex venous ultrasound assessment of the lower limb.
Epidemiology
It has a reported prevalence in some form or another of ~75% in the general population 4,5.
History and etymology
It is named after Carlo Giacomini (1840-1898) late Professor of Anatomy at the University of Turin, Italy, who presented a thesis on superficial and deep lower limb venous anatomy in July 1873 3,6. The band of Giacomini and Giacomini vertebrae are also named after this Italian anatomist and neuroscientist 6.
References
- 1. Bush RG, Hammond K. Treatment of incompetent vein of Giacomini (thigh extension branch). Ann Vasc Surg. 2007;21 (2): 245-8. doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2006.07.008 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Georgiev M, Myers KA, Belcaro G. The thigh extension of the lesser saphenous vein: from Giacomini's observations to ultrasound scan imaging. J. Vasc. Surg. 2003;37 (3): 558-63. doi:10.1067/mva.2003.77 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Georgiev M, Myers KA, Belcaro G et-al. Giacomini's observations on the superficial veins of the abdominal limb and principally the external saphenous. Int Angiol. 2002;20 (3): 225-33. Pubmed citation
- 4. Delis KT, Knaggs AL, Khodabakhsh P. Prevalence, anatomic patterns, valvular competence, and clinical significance of the Giacomini vein. J. Vasc. Surg. 2004;40 (6): 1174-83. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2004.09.019 - Pubmed citation
- 5. Oğuzkurt L. Ultrasonographic anatomy of the lower extremity superficial veins. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2011;18 (4): 423-30. doi:10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.5321-11.1 - Pubmed citation
- 6. Perrini P, Montemurro N, Iannelli A. The contribution of Carlo Giacomini (1840-1898): the limbus Giacomini and beyond. (2013) Neurosurgery. 72 (3): 475-81; discussion 481-2. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e31827fcda3 - Pubmed
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