Radionuclide venography and the surgical treatment of chronic venous disease of the lower extremity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the use of radionuclide venography in detecting the site and the functional value of blood reflux through incompetent perforating veins of the leg of patients with chronic venous disease.


METHODS
In this study we evaluated the management of 29 patients (34 lower limbs) who were admitted with chronic venous disease of the lower limbs (in 7 with ulcers refractory to conservative management), surgically treated between 1991 and 1994 on the basis of physical examination and scintigraphic detection of pathological venous refluxes.


RESULTS
In 26/29 patients (31/34 legs = 91%) there was a good result with no recurrence and complete alleviation of symptoms. All the ulcers healed but in two cases recurred after 2 and 6 months respectively. Amelioration of leg tropism was achieved in all patients with a good "cosmetic" result in 27/34 legs (79%). A complete deconnection of the incompetent perforating veins was confirmed with radionuclide venography in 31/34 legs (91%).


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that radionuclide venography is useful in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with chronic venous disease of lower extremity.
Rulli
F
F
Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Muzi
M
M
Giordano
A
A
Galli
G
G
Zanella
E
E
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery