[Varicosis of the angular vein--a rare differential diagnosis]

Report on a female patient with an indolent, bluish tumor medial to the inner canthus; after a Valsalva-maneuver, echography and phlebography had been performed, a solitary varix of the angular vein was diagnosed; and confirmed by surgery and histological study. Possible differential diagnoses and clinical significance (danger of intraoperative aspiration of air with subsequent lethal air embolism) are discussed.