[Rare forms of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs]

Ultrasound examination, digital phlebography, and CT scan have facilitated the diagnosis of unusual forms of chronic venous insufficiency. Congenital anomalies of the deep venous system and vascular malformations are the most common forms. The lesions are more frequent in the deep venous system of the lower limbs than in the vena cava or the iliac veins. Agenesia and traumatic lesions of the inferior vena cava are rare. Occlusion of the iliac veins is often diagnosed during late childhood; they are secondary to the traumatic catheterization of the femoral vein. Valvular incompetence and vascular malformations are localized to the lower limbs. Surgery has some indications. Reconstructive techniques are used for the iliac vein or the inferior vena cava. In the lower limb, valvuloplasty of the femoral vein is proposed only after conservative therapy has failed.