title: The value of ultrasound in the assessment of incompetent perforating veins.
abstract: To determine the value of ultrasound in identifying significant perforator disease we assessed 121 perforators in 90 legs of 61 consecutive patients referred for assessment of varicose veins over a 6 month period. Perforators greater than 4mm in diameter demonstrated reflux in approximately 60% of cases, perforators 3-4 mm in diameter demonstrated reflux in approximately 45% and perforators less than 3 mm in diameter demonstrated reflux in approximately 25% of cases. From correlation with previous published data we recommend that all perforators greater than 4 mm in diameter be considered incompetent regardless of whether reflux is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Radar Medical Imaging, Diamond Valley Community Hospital, Greensborough, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*