Background: Chronic iliac vein occlusion can result in the development of a variety of collateral venous drainage pathways. While several drainage pathways have been well documented, autologous sapheno-saphenous bypass collateral drainage has not been described. This novel collateral drainage pathway is readily visible on cross sectional imaging, may serve as a diagnostic indicator of chronic obstructive venous pathology, and may hint at the underlying etiology.
Case presentation: This brief report depicts findings and technical considerations in two cases of venous recanalization of sapheno-saphenous collaterals in the setting of chronic unilateral iliac vein occlusion. In both cases at one-month follow-up, the patients' pain had resolved, edema had improved, and computed tomographic venography demonstrated stent patency.
Conclusions: Identification of a sapheno-saphenous collateral can provide an important clue to the underlying venous obstructive pathology, therefore guiding corrective intervention.
Keywords: Chronic iliac vein occlusion; May-Thurner syndrome; Saphenous collaterals.