Histopathological Alterations in the Wall of Varicose Veins as compared to Normal Vessel

Abstract

Background: Varicosity is a complex venous pathology affecting the lower extremities. It affects 5 to 30% of adult population. Varicose veins arise due to incompetence in valves of deep, superficial and/or perforating veins. The exact etiology and pathophysiology of varicose vein disease remain, however unclear.
Aim: This study aims to look at the histopathological changes in wall of varicose veins and to correlate the changes with normal vessels also.
Material and Methods: A total of 120 vein specimens were collected from 42 patients (6 trauma cases and 36 varicose vein cases) at Govt Medical College & Hospital, Jammu for a period of 4 years June 2015 to May 2019. 108 vein specimens were collected from proximal thigh long saphenous vein (LSV) and distal calf varicosities in 36 primary varicose vein patients and 12 specimens from the normal, 6 vascular trauma patients which acted as normal controls while the primary varicose vein patients consisted of 12 females and 24 male patients.
Results: In our study, varicose vein was more common in younger age group and in males (66.6%) as compared to females (33.3%).50% were in occupations involving prolonged standing. The family history of varicose veins was present in 2.7%. 30.5% patients had a history of smoking. Amongst female patients ,22.2% were multipara and 5.5% had a history of OC pills use. The most common complaint was swelling of vein followed by pain and presentation was mainly of varicosity. In varicose vein patients, sections from proximal LSV and distal calf varicosities showed varying degrees of dilation of the lumen, irregular intimal surface and marked hypertrophy of the intima, which was thrown into folds.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that the main abnormalities in the wall of varicose vein is intimal hypertrophy, thinning of muscle layer.