Phlebectasia

Phlebectasia in wider sense of meaning = dilatation of vein(s)

• diffuse (= phlebectasia in a more narrow sense of meaning)
• serpentine phlebectasia
• cirsoid phlebectasia  (extends to vein tributaties)
• circumscribed saccular (= varix, haemorrhoid)

In fact, the differentiation between varices and phlebectasias is rather arbitrary (e. g. esophageal varices in the setting of portal hypertension may fulfill the definition of phlebectasia, and similar uncertainty of classification we have to face in the case of varicocele).

In common speaking, the term "phlebectasia" usually describes the cirsoid dilatation of small superficial cutaneous venules.

Pathogenesis: interaction between intraluminal pressure, composition of vessel wall, and function of valves of the veins