Duplex scanning of the veins of the lower extremities helps to diagnose serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system, which are characteristic of different areas of the legs.
A new generation of ultrasound examination is aimed at detecting a number of venous abnormalities even at an early stage of their development. Moreover, this technique is considered the safest against the background of numerous traumatic analogues.
Either a cardiologist or a neurologist or phlebologist should direct an ultrasound scan of both veins and arteries. Sometimes an angiosurgeon can send an angiosurgeon for an additional study. But, no matter what narrow specialist sends the victim, he will do it only on the basis of circumstantial evidence of a possible pathology.
Scan classification
Not all patients know where to do this kind of scan. But today even public clinics and hospitals offer such a service. The only difference with private clinics is how much the procedure costs. Usually, the cost in one city for private and public medical institutions is kept almost identical. But if in one visit the applicant wants to check not only the veins, then the price will vary depending on the vessels being studied. And if the doctor suspects that the patient has some serious pathology affecting the entire cardiovascular system, then he may be advised to immediately do doppleography of the upper extremities.
Duplex scanning is aimed at studying the blood flow in large and medium sized veins. Sometimes it is resorted to when it is necessary to study deep vessels.
The mechanism of operation is based on the Doppler effect, which takes into account the reflection of ultrasonic waves from moving particles. Such waves change frequency depending on how fast the desired objects are moving.
Against this background, experts have developed three main types of scanning for the lower extremities. The first is called an ultrasound scan. This method is used less and less, as modern equipment is able to provide higher quality results with minimal security risks. Initially, the measure was positioned as an effective assessment of venous patency and valve status.
The second is called the USS. The technique is based on a color examination based on the principle of echography. In addition to standard indicators in terms of hemodynamics, he will also demonstrate structural changes in the walls.
The most advanced version is USDS, which features color mapping. The procedure is also called triplex scanning. It is performed using a pulsed Doppler, which evaluates the blood flow in the selected area of the vascular bed. Moreover, the evaluation takes place in real time with coloring in two colors: blue and red. The ultrasonographer himself usually tells what each color shows, mentioning that the brighter the shade, the higher the speed.
Indications and contraindications
Before being sent to the ultrasound room, the patient must understand what determines the duplex scan for the veins located in the legs. Its main task is to identify possible vascular obstruction, taking into account the degree of neglect and localization features.
Also, the technique provides for the diagnosis of failure of valves and perforating veins.
Usually, patients are sent to take a similar analysis if, at the appointment with a narrow doctor, they complained about:
- swelling in the ankle area;
- dilated saphenous veins;
- spots of a brown or purple hue on the skin;
- weeping wounds;
- suppuration;
- intermittent loss of sensation;
- paroxysmal muscle contractions that occur involuntarily;
- pronounced itching, not having a dermatological background.
Separately, doctors identify a risk group, which includes people with a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins. They need to undergo preventive examinations and scans on a regular basis in order to compare their results and generally accepted norms.
Также на обследование могут отправить всех тех, кому назначена полостная операция, а у пациента имеются подозрения на тромбы.
If the victim complains about the accumulation of fluids in the tissues of the legs, then this is also a reason to do specific testing. Even with strange pain sensations in the lower extremities, resembling bursting from the inside, it is worth eliminating the risks of serious ailments and undergoing a simple procedure.
It is also worth sounding the alarm if a person is worried about the cyanosis of the skin or even their darkening from the foot to the knee.
The sooner the victim goes for examination, the higher the chances of his speedy recovery without the risk of worsening the quality of life in the future. With the help of a timely scan, it will be possible to detect and confirm a number of serious profile pathologies, such as:
- atherosclerosis;
- тромбов;
- varicose veins;
- endarteritis.
The doctor draws conclusions about a possible progressive disease from the list above based on the conclusion of the diagnostician. He prescribes in the certificate not only the current state of the vascular walls. There is also noted the level of patency of deep and superficial veins, possible valvular insufficiency.
Если у больного имеются тромбы или смежные патологии, то общая картинка сразу же это покажет.
There are no special contraindications for the appointment of a duplex study. Exceptions are perhaps a general serious condition of various origins, problems on the dermatological spectrum, or observations by a psychiatrist.
Diagnostic Rules
The doctor himself, who sends the patient to the ultrasound room, usually tells about what the preparation for the procedure should be. He will also tell you how the scan is done and what you should take with you to the appointment.
The algorithm for starting the examination remains unchanged, which involves the study of the inferior vena cava. This is necessary in order to exclude the presence of a possible thrombus.
Knowing how a detailed examination is carried out, a person will be able, in parallel with the examination itself, to find out the current indicators from the sonographer. So, after the vena cava comes the turn of the femoral, and then the popliteal, peroneal, tibial veins. It all ends with an examination of the superficial vessels.
In order to get detailed results, the doctor must not only know how the scan goes according to the protocol, but also follow the established rules, starting the examination from a horizontal position.
In this case, one cannot do without a Valsalva test, which works on the principle of calculating inhalations and exhalations, which provokes an increase in pressure in the peritoneal region. The final stage includes a cough test, and not all patients know what it means to be asked to perform this test. First, a person takes a deep breath, and then imitates a cough several times. The result will tell you if he has a deviation in terms of the functioning of the valve apparatus.
The decoding of the information received is almost always done immediately. And if the ultrasound was performed by a phlebologist, then he immediately begins to develop a course of treatment so as not to waste time when serious pathologies are detected.