Varix of the digit.

Varix of the digit is a rarely described lesion. Over 3 years, eight patients were diagnosed as having this abnormality. Surgical confirmation of the identity of the lesion was accomplished in six of these patients. Repetitive trauma, mechanical compression, and aging phlebectasia have all been associated with the pathogenesis of a digital varix. Thrombophlebitic and thrombotic changes occurring within the varix may lead to an erroneous assessment and clinical confusion. In such instances, a tourniquet test has been useful in demonstrating the presence of a varix. Excision of a symptomatic lesion has proven to be curative for all six patients. Two patients have been observed for 3 years with little change and no resolution of the varix. It is probable that varix of the digit is a more common lesion than indicated by a review of the literature.