Hello There, A Few Months Ago, These %E2%80%9Espider Veins%E2%80%9C On

Posted on Thu, 2 Jan 2020

Question: Hello there,

a few months ago, these %E2%80%9Espider veins%E2%80%9C on my rib cage suddenly appeared out of nowhere. they started on my left side in this crescent shape and have now progressed to my right side in the same odd shape. (Ive drawn a black line on the picture to explain what crescent shape I am speaking of)

I dont have those anywhere else on my body and am quite scared what could possibly cause them.

can you help me?

thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to mild superior vena cava obstruction.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A sudden appearance of spider veins on the chest wall are suggestive of a decreased venous blood drainage. This can happen due to mild compression of superior vena cava. Presence of a cervical rib or hypertension can also cause such symptoms to appear. This needs a few investigations under the guidance of your physician to find the exact cause.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Hi there again and thank you!

I%E2%80%98ve already asked about my xray and they said there wasn%E2%80%99t anything wrong with my vena cava superior? I%E2%80%98ve attached the image again.

What exactly is a cervical rib? My doctors dismissed the spider veins as being normal without further investigation :(

I%E2%80%98m scared!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
X-ray is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
I have seen the attached X-ray and it is normal. The cervical rib is an extra rib attached to the last cervical vertebra and causes a compression on the vena cava. In your case there is no such finding. The mild venous distension can be a normal variation also. If your physician has already rule out anything pathological then there is no need to worry.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar