vein clinic -duplex ultrasound
duplex ultrasound scan
Duplex Ultrasonography is the
modern non invasive way of assessing any abnormality with superficial
or deep veins. Usually patients with varicose veins have incompetence
which means a valve inside the vein closes incompletely or malfunctions
and therefore allows blood to flow in a retrograde fashion down the
leg. Duplex ultrasonography can identify this and quantify the problem
by measuring the size of the refluxing vein and its depth and the rate
at which blood is refluxing. This information can then be used to
determine the most effective form of treatment.In skilled hands a duplex ultrasound scan is similar to a road map allowing the surgeon to accurately plan surgery pre-operatively, in addition to the main sites of incompetence in the groin and behind the knee secondary sites of leaky valves can be found as well and these are called incompetent perforators. Incompetent perforators are a common cause of skin damage around the ankle with later ulceration. Early detection of these at the time of treatment of varicose veins is preventative in future skin damage.
Duplex ultrasonography is a recognised pre-operative
investigation for varicose veins and is compensated for by insurance
company’s, further details will be provided at the time of consultation.