The authors report the case of a 39-year-old man with a common origin of three arteries-the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries-that has not been described previously in the literature, to their knowledge. This variant, which they call the celiac-bimesenteric trunk, is documented with a selective angiogram, and an embryologic explanation is offered.

Two uncommon anatomical variations of the left renal vein were found on dissected specimens: a circumaortic venous ring and a retro-aortic bifid left renal vein. The first anomaly results from a persistence of the embryonic renal venous collar. The second one would be related to a particular pattern of left inferior vena cava. Both abnormalities have to be known for they may be undetected or be misleading in imaging. Other clinical implications are also considered.

Eight cases of duplication of the inferior vena cava are reported. Three of these bear witness to the errors of interpretation that may be committed when the anomaly is not initially detected in the ultrasonographic transverse sections and when no preliminary phlebography is available. Two other cases illustrate the influence of this duplication on the choice of the prophylactic surgical treatment of pulmonary embolism. The last clinical observation indicates the need to puncture both the femoral veins when performing iliocaval phlebography. Finally, two observations on the cadaver help to clarify the imaging appearances of this anomaly. The report concludes with a review of the classical anatomic and pathogenic concepts and a short discussion of the practical problems posed by duplication of the inferior vena cava.

An anatomical study of 30 cases has been performed on the vascularisation of the distal third of the antero-lateral compartment of the leg, with particular reference to the relations of the infero-lateral collateral artery of the anterior tibial artery, the perforating branch of the peroneal artery, and the antero-lateral malleolar artery. A fascio-cutaneous pedicle flap based on the infero-lateral collateral artery is described noting that the superior, anterior, and posterior limits are similar to those of the lateral supramalleolar flap of Masquelet. The inferior limit of this new flap is 15 mm distal to the site of emergence of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery. The advantages of this flap are; a large surface area for cover, antegrade vascularisation, and no significant vascular sacrifice. The distal half of the calf can be covered both medially and posteriorly as well as the proximal half of the dorsum of the foot, the medial and lateral arch areas, the perimalleolar region, and the region behind the Achilles tendon. The flap requires the presence of the infero-lateral collateral artery of the tibialis anterior which can be confirmed either peroperatively or preoperatively by angiography.

The venous return from the testis is effected by 3 venous pathways: the pampiniform plexus gathrs the centripetal and centrifugal paths of the testis with the marginal vein of the epididymis; the deferential vein accompanies the ductus deferens; and the cremasteric vein travels more superficially between the internal and external spermatic fasciae on its way to the inferior epigastric vein. At the caudal pole of the testicle these different pathways form such close connections as to constitute a real vascular junction.