Femoral vein duplication: incidence and potential significance.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of femoral vein duplication and the incidence of bilateral anomalies in a normal cohort of patients presenting with varicose veins. METHODS Two hundred and forty patients underwent bilateral lower limb deep venous ultrasound examination with particular attention to the femoropopliteal segment. RESULTS The incidence of femoral vein duplication was 41%. Of the 140 people with femoral vein duplications, 60 (42%) were bilateral and 80 (57%) were unilateral. CONCLUSION Femoral vein duplication is a common anatomical variant of the lower limb deep venous system. Ultrasound in skilled and experienced hands with the latest ultrasound units can readily demonstrate this venous anomaly on a consistent basis.