UZDG veins of the lower extremities: the tactics of the study. Indication for the procedure

Many problems with the lower extremities appear due to circulatory disorders. After all, if it worsens, it will not be possible to provide a normal blood supply to the legs. To find out the reason, which led to the mentioned violations, will help USG veins of the lower extremities.

Indications for the survey

Ultrasonic dopplerography is one of the most effective methods of examination, which allows to diagnose thrombosis of veins, including in the upper legs, obliterating atherosclerosis and other diseases.

There is a list of indications in which ultrasound of the arteries and veins of the limbs must be carried out without fail. They include:

- Regular leg cramps;

- the appearance of pain during muscle strain;

- numbness and swelling of the legs;

- the appearance of deformed veins, vascular asterisks;

- causeless hyperthermia of the body;

- Occasional sudden lameness;

- a rapidly growing feeling of heaviness of the legs;

- non-healing ulcers and various trophic changes;

- dry skin, change its color;

- deformation of phalanges of fingers;

- barely noticeable or unnoticeable pulsation of the arteries of the legs.

When these signs appear, it is important to conduct timely diagnostics. This will allow to identify the disease in time and prescribe adequate treatment.

Possible causes of circulatory disorders

There is a fairly extensive list of factors that can cause circulatory disorders. It is the ultrasound of the veins of the lower limbs that allows you to pinpoint the problem.

With the help of the study identify:

- varicose veins: stagnant processes are visible in certain areas;

- pulmonary thromboembolism: on UZDG will be visualized thrombi in deep veins, with this disease it is necessary to conduct a lung examination;

- Thrombosis leading to venous insufficiency: on the doppler it is seen that the thrombus blocks the lumen of the vessel.

In all these cases, blood hardly passes through the blood vessels. UZDG veins of the lower extremities allows you to see the most problematic areas. This examination allows you to determine endarteritis and atherosclerosis of the legs, to reveal thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, angiopathy in diabetes. After all, these diseases lead to a violation of blood circulation in the lower limbs.

Technology of the procedure

Many doctors say that no special preparation is required before the USG of the veins of the lower extremities. What is it, the phlebologist or angiosurgeon can best explain. Some, however, advise to refrain from using stimulant drinks (strong tea or coffee), smoking and taking certain medications.

When performing the examination on the legs, several control areas are identified, on which the vessels pass near the skin. It is a fossa under the knee, skin around the inguinal folds, the inner part of the ankle. Also, as a control, take a site where a large saphenous vein should merge into the femoral.

Initially, the patient lies on his back, then at the request of the doctor turns over on his stomach.

Part of the examination is carried out in a standing position. In this case, the patient must do some more diagnostic tests, cough. This allows you to assess the blood flow in different veins.

Advantages of Doppler Scanning

UZDG of the vessels of the veins of the lower extremities is a safe and highly informative way of assessing blood flow. With its help, it is possible not only to diagnose the disease, when the blood flow is markedly disturbed, but also to determine the onset of the disease at the stage when there are no clinical signs.

The method is based on the fact that the ultrasonic wave is reflected from the moving objects. This changes the frequency of the output signal. With the help of UZDG it is possible to determine in which direction and with what velocity blood moves, see atherosclerotic stenosis, check pulsation. Also, this method allows you to evaluate the minute blood flow and identify clogged vessels. With its help, the effectiveness of collateral circulation is observed.

But the most informative is a duplex study, in which, apart from the USDG, conventional ultrasound is also done. With the help of the latter method, one can see the anatomical features of the structure of the vessels.

What the doctor can see during the procedure

When performing ultrasound of the veins of lower extremities, a specialist can identify certain violations. The study provides an opportunity to understand what happens to the vessels, and to establish an accurate diagnosis. So, during the survey, you can:

- check if the pulse wave changes;

- to diagnose a decrease in blood flow in some areas;

- to see that the blood flow is uneven;

- to observe retrograde blood flow during rest or, conversely, loads;

- see the change in the ankle-brachial index: this is the index, which is calculated based on the ratio of pressure in the tibial veins in the ankle and brachial artery;

- to note that a pathological discharge of blood occurs along the perforating veins;

- observe the fall during the same blood pressure vessel.

One or more pathological signs allow the doctor to establish a diagnosis. If necessary, the specialist can refer the patient to a follow-up examination.