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Background Pelvic venous reflux is often treated with pelvic vein embolisation; however, atypical pelvic venous anatomy may provide therapeutic challenges. Methods We retrospectively reviewed seven patient files and reported symptoms, diagnostic imaging, aberrant anatomy and means by which the interventional radiologist successfully completed the procedure. Any follow-up data were included if available. Results Four anatomical abnormalities were found: internal iliac veins draining into the contralateral common iliac vein, duplicated inferior vena cava, reverse-angle renal veins with atypical left ovarian vein drainage and direct drainage of the internal iliac vein to the inferior vena cava. All patients were successfully treated with pelvic vein embolisation. Conclusion Abnormal embryologic development may cause variable pelvic venous anatomy. Knowledge of this will enable interventional radiologists to successfully treat such patients.

Objectives To report on a male cohort with pelvic vein reflux and associated primary and recurrent lower limb varicose veins. Methods Full lower limb duplex ultrasonography revealed significant pelvic contribution in eight males presenting with bilateral lower limb varicose veins. Testicular and internal iliac veins were examined with either one or a combination of computed tomography, magnetic resonance venography, testicular, transabdominal or transrectal duplex ultrasonography. Subsequently, all patients received pelvic vein embolisation, prior to leg varicose vein treatment. Results Pelvic vein reflux was found in 23 of the 32 truncal pelvic veins and these were treated by pelvic vein embolisation. Four patients have since completed their leg varicose vein treatment and four are undergoing leg varicose vein treatments currently. Conclusion Pelvic vein reflux contributes towards lower limb venous insufficiency in some males with leg varicose veins. Despite the challenges, we suggest that pelvic vein reflux should probably be investigated and pelvic vein embolisation considered in such patients.

Background During sclerotherapy, it has been recommended to confirm intravenous placement of the needle by aspirating blood into the sclerosant syringe. This may inactivate some, or all of the sclerosant. Aims To quantify the volume of human blood needed to completely inactivate 1 ml of sodium tetradecyl sulphate, and comparing fresh blood and blood that has been stored in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tube. Methods A series of manual titrations were carried out following a procedure developed at STD Pharmaceutical Products Ltd (Hereford, UK) and listed in the British Pharmacopeia. Three percent of sodium tetradecyl sulphate stock solutions were made with increasing volumes of blood and titrated against benzethonium chloride to determine the active concentration (% w/v) of sodium tetradecyl sulphate remaining in the solution. Results A calculated approximation showed 0.3 ml of blood is required to fully inactivate 1 ml of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate when made into a foam. A comparison was made between the use of fresh blood and blood stored in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes. Blood stored in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes showed more inactivation of sodium tetradecyl sulphate, but this was not significant at the P ≤ 0.05 level. Conclusion The data from our study have shown that a minimum of 0.3 ml of fresh blood is required to inactivate 1 ml of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate as a foam and it is not significantly affected by storing blood in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tube. Our methodology suggests that during foam sclerotherapy treatment, blood should not be aspirated into the syringe to confirm position, and that ultrasound guidance is more appropriate for needle placement.