Leg vein ultrasound – echographic methods for assessing the anatomy of blood vessels and regional blood flow along venous highways. In vascular surgery, three types of angioscanning are used, which complement each other: Dopplerography, duplex and triplex modes. The methods are used in the diagnosis of vascular pathology (vasculitis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis). During the ultrasound of the veins, functional tests are performed (compression, breath-holding, etc.).
Preparation
Leg vein ultrasound is performed on an outpatient basis without special preparatory measures. Among the general recommendations is the observance of personal hygiene measures: the skin of the legs should be clean, no extraneous means should be applied to it (deodorants, talc, ointments, etc.). Since during angioscanning it is necessary to completely expose the lower extremities, you should take care of comfortable clothes that can be easily removed.
If the patient is taking pharmacopreparations that affect blood flow (anticoagulants, disaggregants, etc.), it is necessary to notify the ultrasound doctor about this. On the day of the study, it is better to exclude a heavy load on the legs. Smoking should be stopped 3 hours before the ultrasound. Hair removal from the lower extremities is possible, but is not strictly mandatory.
What shows
In clinical practice, the appointment of ultrasound of veins is resorted to for the diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower extremities, thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, CVI. Echographic imaging is used during sclerotherapy, preoperative vascular marking. Each of the ultrasound angioscanning methods has its advantages and limitations. The ultrasound doctor chooses the vascular examination mode based on the diagnostic tasks facing him:
- Dopplerography. Doppler ultrasound of veins is aimed at identifying the dynamic features of blood flow (speed, direction of movement). Allows you to assess the patency of superficial and deep venous collectors, vein perforants, the condition of venous valves. It does not provide direct information about the structural features of the venous system.
- Duplex scanning. Combines all the advantages of the Doppler with the possibilities of anatomical visualization of blood vessels. Doppler ultrasound is informative for assessing the condition of the vessel walls, detecting and determining the localization of venous thrombi, detecting narrowing and dilation of the lumen of the veins.
- Triplex scanning. In addition to the Dopplerogram and B-scan mode, it allows color mapping of the vascular bed. Ultrasound of veins with CDM is more complete and is very often used in clinical practice to detect vascular disorders in the early stages.