Reticular veins, incompetent reticular veins, and their relationship to telangiectases

The pathological role that reticular veins, or their incompetent variants, play in the development and progression of telangiectases has been a subject of debate. The implications of their treatment on the disappearance of telangiectases has been a source of confusion.

This article explores the anatomical and functional relationship of reticular veins with telangiectases. The evidence for any pathological role that reticular veins, or their incompetent counterparts, play in the appearance of telangiectases is examined.

Medical literature on reticular veins of the lower extremity was reviewed. The consequences of their treatment on existing contiguous telangiectases and on the development of new telangiectases is discussed.

Telangiectases occur both in the absence and presence of incompetent reticular veins. Incompetent reticular veins often exist without any associated telangiectases present. However, when telangiectases and reticular veins, or their incompetent counterparts, appear in close proximity, their intraluminal channels are, almost invariably, in direct communication.

A causal role for reticular veins, or their incompetent counterparts, in the development or progression of telangiectases has not been established. Furthermore, the successful eradication of telangiectases does not depend on the prior or simultaneous eradication of any reticular veins with which they may communicate. Failure to eradicate telangiectases is not due to the persistence of the reticular veins but to inadequate treatment of the telangiectases.