Duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis of incompetent Cockett veins.
OBJECTIVE
Incompetent perforating veins of the medial calf, i.e. those of the Cockett groups, play a major role in the developement of chronic venous insufficiency. The aim of the present study was to test the value of duplex ultrasonography (DUS) in the diagnosis of function and localisation of those veins.


METHODS
Eighty-nine legs with incompetent perforating veins of the medial calf selected for subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) were included in a prospective study. Preoperative DUS was used to determine the number and localisation of the perforator veins. Findings were compared with preoperative ascending phlebography and intraoperative endoscopy during SEPS.


RESULTS
Nearly equal numbers of insufficient Cockett veins at each level were detected by DUS and ascending phlebography (Cockett III: n, 76 vs. n, 76, P, 1.0; Cockett: II n=84 vs. n=82, P=0.569; Cockett I: n, 36 vs. n, 37, P=1.0; chi(2)-test). Findings were confirmed intraoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of DUS is comparable to phlebography for the diagnosis of incompetent perforating veins of the lower leg. DUS is non-invasive and avoids the potential risks of radiologic imaging.
Meyer
T
T
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstr. 12 D-91054, Erlangen, Germany.
Cavallaro
A
A
Lang
W
W
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery