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Cardiology203 papers

Klippel-Feil sequence

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by a triad of capillary malformations (port-wine stains), venous varicosities, and soft tissue or bony hypertrophy, often affecting one limb 1212.

Diagnosis

  • Key Diagnostic Criteria: Presence of port-wine stains, varicose veins, and limb hypertrophy 1212.
  • Recommended Tests: Duplex ultrasonography to assess venous abnormalities, MRI for detailed imaging of soft tissue and bone hypertrophy 91627.
  • Grading: No standardized grading system; clinical presentation guides diagnosis 12.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments: Compression therapy to manage varicosities and prevent complications 41227.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Endovenous Ablation: Mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) and radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins 51623. - Sclerotherapy: Foam sclerotherapy for treating venous malformations 2227. - Pharmacotherapy: Tranexamic acid for managing bleeding complications 33.
  • Surgical Interventions: Varicose vein stripping and ligation for severe cases 1338.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Increased risk of thrombotic events; close monitoring and prophylactic anticoagulation may be necessary 717.
  • Pediatrics: Early intervention with compression therapy and minimally invasive procedures like MOCA 5.
  • Comorbidities: Management of coagulopathy and gastrointestinal bleeding requires multidisciplinary care 319.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Implement Compression Therapy Early to manage varicosities and prevent complications (Evidence: Moderate 427).
  • Utilize Endovenous Ablation Techniques such as radiofrequency ablation for persistent varicose veins (Evidence: Moderate 523).
  • Consider Pharmacological Interventions like tranexamic acid for managing bleeding risks in patients with coagulopathy (Evidence: Weak 33).
  • Monitor Pregnant Patients Closely due to increased thrombotic risks and consider prophylactic anticoagulation (Evidence: Expert opinion 717).
  • Apply Minimally Invasive Procedures in pediatric patients to avoid complications associated with open surgery (Evidence: Expert opinion 5).
  • References

    1 Wang Z, Wang X, Zhao Q, Luan J, Ju Y, Wang W et al.. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with multiorgan vascular involvement and gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report and literature review. Medicine 2025. link 2 Maharjan B, Liu L, Liu X, Liu Q, Jiang X. Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome in the Distal Part of the Unilateral Upper Limb and Venous Deficiency: A Case Report. JNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association 2025. link 3 Lin F, Yang K, Xu J, Wang G, Yang L, Huang J et al.. Recurrent hematuria involving urinary system with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: A case report. Medicine 2024. link 4 Saleem T, Luke C, Raju S. Options in the treatment of superficial and deep venous disease in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders 2022. link 5 Lambert G, Teplisky D, Cabezas M, Szhafir I, Silva M, Garriga M et al.. Mechanochemical Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins in Pediatric Patients with Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: Feasibility, Safety, and Initial Results. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR 2021. link 6 Shaikh OH, Kumbhar US, Jain A, Chakkalakkoombil SV. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in a young patient with the involvement of gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts: an unusual and rare presentation. BMJ case reports 2021. link 7 Sayeeda S, Akhtar N, Haque AZ, Kabir MF. Pregnancy with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Critical Case Report. Mymensingh medical journal : MMJ 2021. link 8 Bettocchi C, Spilotros M, Lucarelli G, Utano E, Sebastiani F, Bittner L et al.. Penile prosthesis implant for primary erectile dysfunction in patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome complicated by consumptive coagulopathy: A case report. Medicine 2019. link 9 Alwalid O, Makamure J, Cheng QG, Wu WJ, Yang C, Samran E et al.. Radiological Aspect of Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: A Case Series With Review of Literature. Current medical science 2018. link 10 Rathore A, Gloviczki P, Bjarnason H. Management of giant embryonic vein in Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders 2018. link 11 Abukabbos H, Mahla M, Adewumi AO. Deep Sedation Technique for Dental Rehabilitation of a Patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome. Journal of dentistry for children (Chicago, Ill.) 2017. link 12 Wang SK, Drucker NA, Gupta AK, Marshalleck FE, Dalsing MC. Diagnosis and management of the venous malformations of Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders 2017. link 13 Malgor RD, Gloviczki P, Fahrni J, Kalra M, Duncan AA, Oderich GS et al.. Surgical treatment of varicose veins and venous malformations in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Phlebology 2016. link 14 Zavacka M, Pobehova J, Gibarti K, Frankovicova M. Patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Bratislavske lekarske listy 2016. link 15 Agrawal N, Vasavada A. Rare Association of Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome with Large Pulmonary Embolism and Asymmetrical Emphysematous Bullae. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP 2016. link 16 Harrison C, Holdstock J, Price B, Whiteley M. Endovenous radiofrequency ablation and combined foam sclerotherapy treatment of multiple refluxing perforator veins in a Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome patient. Phlebology 2014. link 17 Kemfang JD, Dobgima WP, Motzebo RM, Ngassam A, Fokou M, Kasia JM. Successful management of pregnancy in an African woman with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome. The Pan African medical journal 2013. link 18 Sreekar H, Dawre S, Petkar KS, Shetty RB, Lamba S, Naik S et al.. Diverse manifestations and management options in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: a single centre 10-year experience. Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery 2013. link 19 Herman R, Kunisaki S, Molitor M, Gadepalli S, Dillman JR, Geiger J. Rectal bleeding, deep venous thrombosis, and coagulopathy in a patient with Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. Journal of pediatric surgery 2012. link 20 Atis A, Ozdemir G, Tuncer G, Cetincelik U, Goker N, Ozsoy S. Management of a Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in pregnant women with mega-cisterna magna and splenic and vulvar varices at birth: a case report. The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2012. link 21 Herman J, Musil D. Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome associated with great saphenous vein aplasia. Phlebology 2010. link 22 Redondo P, Bastarrika G, Sierra A, Martínez-Cuesta A, Cabrera J. Efficacy and safety of microfoam sclerotherapy in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and a patent foramen ovale. Archives of dermatology 2009. link 23 Frasier K, Giangola G, Rosen R, Ginat DT. Endovascular radiofrequency ablation: a novel treatment of venous insufficiency in Klippel-Trenaunay patients. Journal of vascular surgery 2008. link 24 Albertini G, Onorati P, de Pandis F, Giulitti E, Calcari LS, Sara M. Cognitive level and adaptive behaviour in the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome. An example of the potentials of an early intervention model applied to a complex pathology. Disability and rehabilitation 2008. link 25 Mofidi R, Nagy J, Levison RA, Griffiths GD. Beware of varicose veins in a patient with sturge-weber syndrome. Annals of vascular surgery 2007. link 26 Delis KT, Gloviczki P, Wennberg PW, Rooke TW, Driscoll DJ. Hemodynamic impairment, venous segmental disease, and clinical severity scoring in limbs with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Journal of vascular surgery 2007. link 27 Nitecki S, Bass A. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ 2007. link 28 Sunar H, Halici U, Duran E. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with polydactyly. Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) 2006. link 29 Aggarwal K, Jain VK, Gupta S, Aggarwal HK, Sen J, Goyal V. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with a life-threatening thromboembolic event. The Journal of dermatology 2003. link 30 De Simone C, Giampetruzzi AR, Guerriero C, De Masi M, Amerio P, Cina G. Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a venous ulcer as a complication of the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Clinical and experimental dermatology 2002. link 31 Mueller-Lessmann V, Behrendt A, Wetzel WE, Petersen K, Anders D. Orofacial findings in the Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. International journal of paediatric dentistry 2001. link 32 Cincinnati P, Midi P, Rutiloni C. Klippel-Feil syndrome, thenar hypoplasia, carpal anomalies and situs inversus viscerum. Clinical dysmorphology 2000. link 33 Katsaros D, Grundfest-Broniatowski S. Successful management of visceral Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with the antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (cyclocapron): a case report. The American surgeon 1998. link 34 Srivastava DN, Gulati MS, Thulkar S, Berry M. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: unusual magnetic resonance features. Australasian radiology 1998. link 35 Ceballos-Quintal JM, Pinto-Escalante D, Castillo-Zapata I. A new case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome: evidence of autosomal dominant inheritance. American journal of medical genetics 1996. link1096-8628(19960614)63:3<426::AID-AJMG2>3.0.CO;2-P) 36 Patel PR, Lauerman WC. Maurice Klippel. Spine 1995. link 37 Aelvoet GE, Jorens PG, Roelen LM. Genetic aspects of the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. The British journal of dermatology 1992. link 38 Gloviczki P, Stanson AW, Stickler GB, Johnson CM, Toomey BJ, Meland NB et al.. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: the risks and benefits of vascular interventions. Surgery 1991. link 39 Baskerville PA, Ackroyd JS, Lea Thomas M, Browse NL. The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: clinical, radiological and haemodynamic features and management. The British journal of surgery 1985. link 40 Warhit JM, Goldman MA, Sachs L, Weiss LM, Pek H. Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: appearance in utero. Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 1983. link 41 Gloviczki P, Hollier LH, Telander RL, Kaufman B, Bianco AJ, Stickler GB. Surgical implications of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Annals of surgery 1983. link 42 Limaye SR, Doyle HA, Tang RA. Retinal varicosity in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus 1979. link 43 Schaal PG, Blundell PE. The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. A case report and review. The Journal of cardiovascular surgery 1976. link

    Original source

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      Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome in the Distal Part of the Unilateral Upper Limb and Venous Deficiency: A Case Report.Maharjan B, Liu L, Liu X, Liu Q, Jiang X JNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association (2025)
    3. [3]
      Recurrent hematuria involving urinary system with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: A case report.Lin F, Yang K, Xu J, Wang G, Yang L, Huang J et al. Medicine (2024)
    4. [4]
      Options in the treatment of superficial and deep venous disease in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Saleem T, Luke C, Raju S Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders (2022)
    5. [5]
      Mechanochemical Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins in Pediatric Patients with Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: Feasibility, Safety, and Initial Results.Lambert G, Teplisky D, Cabezas M, Szhafir I, Silva M, Garriga M et al. Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (2021)
    6. [6]
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      Pregnancy with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Critical Case Report.Sayeeda S, Akhtar N, Haque AZ, Kabir MF Mymensingh medical journal : MMJ (2021)
    8. [8]
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      Radiological Aspect of Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: A Case Series With Review of Literature.Alwalid O, Makamure J, Cheng QG, Wu WJ, Yang C, Samran E et al. Current medical science (2018)
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      Management of giant embryonic vein in Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.Rathore A, Gloviczki P, Bjarnason H Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders (2018)
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      Deep Sedation Technique for Dental Rehabilitation of a Patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome.Abukabbos H, Mahla M, Adewumi AO Journal of dentistry for children (Chicago, Ill.) (2017)
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      Diagnosis and management of the venous malformations of Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.Wang SK, Drucker NA, Gupta AK, Marshalleck FE, Dalsing MC Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders (2017)
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      Surgical treatment of varicose veins and venous malformations in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Malgor RD, Gloviczki P, Fahrni J, Kalra M, Duncan AA, Oderich GS et al. Phlebology (2016)
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      Patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Zavacka M, Pobehova J, Gibarti K, Frankovicova M Bratislavske lekarske listy (2016)
    15. [15]
      Rare Association of Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome with Large Pulmonary Embolism and Asymmetrical Emphysematous Bullae.Agrawal N, Vasavada A Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (2016)
    16. [16]
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      Successful management of pregnancy in an African woman with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome.Kemfang JD, Dobgima WP, Motzebo RM, Ngassam A, Fokou M, Kasia JM The Pan African medical journal (2013)
    18. [18]
      Diverse manifestations and management options in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: a single centre 10-year experience.Sreekar H, Dawre S, Petkar KS, Shetty RB, Lamba S, Naik S et al. Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery (2013)
    19. [19]
      Rectal bleeding, deep venous thrombosis, and coagulopathy in a patient with Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.Herman R, Kunisaki S, Molitor M, Gadepalli S, Dillman JR, Geiger J Journal of pediatric surgery (2012)
    20. [20]
      Management of a Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in pregnant women with mega-cisterna magna and splenic and vulvar varices at birth: a case report.Atis A, Ozdemir G, Tuncer G, Cetincelik U, Goker N, Ozsoy S The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research (2012)
    21. [21]
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      Efficacy and safety of microfoam sclerotherapy in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and a patent foramen ovale.Redondo P, Bastarrika G, Sierra A, Martínez-Cuesta A, Cabrera J Archives of dermatology (2009)
    23. [23]
      Endovascular radiofrequency ablation: a novel treatment of venous insufficiency in Klippel-Trenaunay patients.Frasier K, Giangola G, Rosen R, Ginat DT Journal of vascular surgery (2008)
    24. [24]
    25. [25]
      Beware of varicose veins in a patient with sturge-weber syndrome.Mofidi R, Nagy J, Levison RA, Griffiths GD Annals of vascular surgery (2007)
    26. [26]
      Hemodynamic impairment, venous segmental disease, and clinical severity scoring in limbs with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Delis KT, Gloviczki P, Wennberg PW, Rooke TW, Driscoll DJ Journal of vascular surgery (2007)
    27. [27]
      Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Nitecki S, Bass A The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (2007)
    28. [28]
      Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with polydactyly.Sunar H, Halici U, Duran E Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) (2006)
    29. [29]
      Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with a life-threatening thromboembolic event.Aggarwal K, Jain VK, Gupta S, Aggarwal HK, Sen J, Goyal V The Journal of dermatology (2003)
    30. [30]
      Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a venous ulcer as a complication of the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.De Simone C, Giampetruzzi AR, Guerriero C, De Masi M, Amerio P, Cina G Clinical and experimental dermatology (2002)
    31. [31]
      Orofacial findings in the Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.Mueller-Lessmann V, Behrendt A, Wetzel WE, Petersen K, Anders D International journal of paediatric dentistry (2001)
    32. [32]
      Klippel-Feil syndrome, thenar hypoplasia, carpal anomalies and situs inversus viscerum.Cincinnati P, Midi P, Rutiloni C Clinical dysmorphology (2000)
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      Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: unusual magnetic resonance features.Srivastava DN, Gulati MS, Thulkar S, Berry M Australasian radiology (1998)
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      A new case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome: evidence of autosomal dominant inheritance.Ceballos-Quintal JM, Pinto-Escalante D, Castillo-Zapata I American journal of medical genetics (1996)
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      Maurice Klippel.Patel PR, Lauerman WC Spine (1995)
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      Genetic aspects of the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Aelvoet GE, Jorens PG, Roelen LM The British journal of dermatology (1992)
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      Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: the risks and benefits of vascular interventions.Gloviczki P, Stanson AW, Stickler GB, Johnson CM, Toomey BJ, Meland NB et al. Surgery (1991)
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      The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: clinical, radiological and haemodynamic features and management.Baskerville PA, Ackroyd JS, Lea Thomas M, Browse NL The British journal of surgery (1985)
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      Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: appearance in utero.Warhit JM, Goldman MA, Sachs L, Weiss LM, Pek H Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (1983)
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      Surgical implications of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Gloviczki P, Hollier LH, Telander RL, Kaufman B, Bianco AJ, Stickler GB Annals of surgery (1983)
    42. [42]
      Retinal varicosity in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.Limaye SR, Doyle HA, Tang RA Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (1979)
    43. [43]
      The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. A case report and review.Schaal PG, Blundell PE The Journal of cardiovascular surgery (1976)

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