From this article you will learn how to carry out ultrasound of the vessels of the lower extremities, who is prescribed the procedure. What can be diagnosed with USDG.
Indications for
UZDG is ultrasound dopplerography. This method of diagnosis, in contrast to other methods of examination of blood vessels, is able to show the rate of blood flow, which allows you to accurately diagnose the severity of the disease that disrupts blood circulation.
For any vessels, this procedure is carried out on the same principle - using an ultrasound transducer, like any ultrasound. More often this procedure is required for examination of veins, it is used less often for the study of arteries.
This examination can send you different doctors: therapist, phlebologist, angiologist. The procedure is performed by an expert in ultrasound.
Indications
UZDG of the vessels of the legs are prescribed for the diagnosis of such diseases:
- Varicose veins.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Thrombosis.
- Spasm of the arteries of the legs( angiospasm).
- Arterial aneurysms( their extensions).
- Obliterating endarteritis( inflammatory disease of the arteries, which leads to their narrowing).
- Arteriovenous malformations( pathological connections between arteries and veins).
What are the symptoms of USDD
Patients are referred to this diagnostic procedure for suspected vascular foot diseases. The doctor may prescribe to you an ultrasound if you experience such symptoms:
- swelling of the legs;
- heaviness in the legs;
- frequent blanching, redness, blueing of the legs;
- "goose bumps", numbness in the legs;
- pain when walking less than 1000 meters;
- cramps in the calf muscles;
- vascular "asterisks", "nets", bulging veins;
- propensity to freeze feet, cold feet, even when warm;
- the appearance of bruises on the feet even after the slightest blow or even without a reason.
When you need preventive dopplerography
Pass dopplerography of the leg vessels for preventive maintenance every six months or a year if you are at risk. To diseases of the vessels of the lower extremities are inclined:
- people with excess weight;
- engaged in manual work( loaders, athletes);
- those who constantly stand or work much at work( teachers, security guards, couriers, waiters, bartenders);
- those who have already been diagnosed with atherosclerosis of other vessels;
- people whose direct relatives suffered from vascular diseases;
- those who have diabetes mellitus;
- smokers;
- people over 45 years;
- women in pregnancy and menopause;
- women taking oral contraceptives for a long time.
Preparation of
The procedure does not require any complicated preparation.
The only thing - legs should be clean. If you, due to individual characteristics, have a thick scalp on your legs, it is advisable to shave it so that the doctor can work more easily.
Do not drink alcohol on the day of the procedure, stimulating drinks( coffee, strong tea, energy), do not subject your legs to physical exertion( do not run, do not lift weights, do not go to workouts).2 hours before UZDG vessels of the lower extremities( and other vessels, too) do not smoke. It is better to go to the examination in the morning.
Bring a cloth or towel to the procedure to wipe your feet. Also bring a referral to the UZDG from your doctor and the results of previous vascular examinations.
How to conduct an investigation of
First, you free your feet from clothing.
The examination will be conducted standing or lying down. The doctor applies a gel for ultrasound and leads an ultrasound probe along the legs.
The image of your vessels is displayed on the specialist's monitor. Immediately during the procedure, he analyzes and writes the received data.
If you are examined lying down, the doctor first tells you to lie on your stomach and lift your legs to your toes. Or you can put a roller under the feet. In this position, it is most convenient for a specialist to examine the popliteal, peroneal, subcutaneous and suboral veins, as well as the arteries of the posterior surface of the legs. Then you will be asked to roll over on your back and slightly bend your legs in your knee joints. In this position, the doctor can examine the veins and arteries of the anterior surface of the legs.
Anatomy of the veins of the legs. Click on the photo to enlarge During the UZDG for reflux( reverse blood discharge), the doctor can perform special tests:
- Compression test. The extremity is squeezed and the blood flow is evaluated in compressed vessels.
- Test of Valsalva. You will be asked to breathe in, squeeze your nose and mouth and just stiffen, trying to exhale. If there is an initial stage of varicose veins, reflux may occur during this test.
The total dopplerography of the vessels takes about 10-15 minutes.
Upon termination of inspection you wipe feet from the rests of gel for US, put on, take away result and can go.
With the help of dopplerography of the lower limbs, it is possible to examine such vessels of the legs:
| Veins | Arteries |
|---|---|
| Femoral, popliteal, large and small hypodermic, suboral, superficial enveloping iliac, anterior tibia, dorsal plantar venous arch, posterior arched vein,perforating veins. | The iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibia, artery of the foot. The branches of these large arteries. |
During this diagnostic procedure, the physician can see:
- the shape and location of the vessels;
- diameter of the lumen of the vessel;
- condition of vascular walls;
- condition of arterial and venous valves;
- blood flow velocity in the legs;
- presence of reflux( a reverse discharge of blood, which is common in varicose veins);
- presence of thrombi;
- size, density and structure of the thrombus, if any;
- presence of atherosclerotic plaques;
- presence of arteriovenous malformations( connections between arteries and veins, which should not normally be).
Norms of UZDG, conclusion with explanations
The veins should be passable, not expanded, the walls not thickened. Arteries are not narrowed.
All valves must be well-founded, refluxes should not be.
The rate of blood flow in the femoral artery averages 100 cm / s, in the arteries of the tibia it is 50 cm / s.
Atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi in the vessels should not be detected.
There are no pathological connections between the vessels.
An example of a normal conclusion of the UZDG of the veins of the legs and an explanation to it
Conclusion: all veins on both sides are passable, compressive, the walls are not thickened, the blood flow is phase. In intraluminal structures it is not revealed. Valves are consistent at all levels. Pathological reflux when performing compression tests and Valsalva test are absent.
| Abstracts from the conclusion of | What they mean |
|---|---|
| All veins on both sides are passable, compressive, the walls are not thickened. | All veins on both sides are passable - means that blood can flow freely through the vessels. Compressive - that is, they have not lost their natural tone, they can contract. The walls are not thickened - this indicates that there are no inflammatory and other pathological processes. |
| The blood flow is phase. | Phase blood flow - faster on exhalation and slower on inhalation. So it should be normal. |
| Intraluminal structures were not identified. | Intraluminal structures are not revealed - there are no atherosclerotic plaques, thrombi and other inclusions, which should not be there. |
| Valves are consistent at all levels. | Valves are consistent - that is, they normally perform their functions and do not allow the reverse flow of blood. |
| There are no abnormal refluxes in the performance of compression and Valsalva samples. | There are no abnormal refluxes in the performance of the samples - the blood under no circumstances is dumped in the opposite direction, which indicates a healthy circulation. |
Contraindications
Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower limbs is absolutely safe procedure. It has no contra-indications and age restrictions.
It can be conducted with any frequency and any people, including:
- to children of any age;
- the elderly;
- people with chronic diseases;
- for patients with acute inflammatory diseases;
- to those who have a pacemaker implanted( you can send an ultrasound transducer to their feet, and ultrasound of the thoracic cavity can not be done);
- for pregnant and lactating women;
- to those who have an allergy to contrast agents( angiography, for example, in this case it is impossible to perform);
- people weighing more than 120 kg( but it is impossible to carry out an MRI of obese patients on most devices, since they are not designed for such dimensions).
The only restriction that can be tolerated is an allergy to a gel for ultrasound. It occurs in isolated cases. And it is not an absolute contraindication to the performance of diagnosis. An allergic reaction can be avoided by picking up a hypoallergenic gel that is right for you.
Ultrasound Gel Summary, pluses of procedure
Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower limbs is an absolutely painless method of diagnosis. It does not cause any side effects and has no contraindications( except for allergy to the gel for ultrasound).As studies of scientists show, ultrasonic waves do not cause any harm to the body, therefore ultrasound of the vessels of the legs can be performed at any frequency.
Unlike MRI, USDG has no limitations on the weight of the patient and can be performed by people with a pacemaker installed.
This procedure can be performed for patients with allergies to contrast agents and other iodine-containing drugs, which can not be said about angiography and contrasting phlebography.
Among the advantages can be noted and low cost. Dopplerography is significantly cheaper than MRI, angiography and phlebography.
The speed of execution also applies to the undeniable advantages of the method. UZDG do a maximum of 15 minutes. On an MRI, for example, it takes at least half an hour.
It can be said that dopplerography is the most optimal method of examining the vessels from the existing ones. It combines high accuracy, affordable cost, high speed and virtually no contraindications.