Unusual sudden death: two case reports of hemorrhage by rupture of varicose veins.

Although varicose veins are frequent, they are rarely considered lethal. Still, rupture of a varicosity can result in significant and even fatal hemorrhage. External hemorrhage is an unusual complication of this common venous pathology. Reported here are 2 cases of severe external hemorrhage resulting from the perforation of a varicose vein.