The relationship between the number, competence, and diameter of medial calf perforating veins and the clinical status in healthy subjects and patients with lower-limb venous disease.
OBJECTIVE
The role of medial calf perforating veins in the pathogenesis of the skin changes of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) remains controversial. This study examined the relationship between abnormal medial calf perforating vein structure and function and the clinical severity of CVI.


METHODS
Duplex ultrasound was used as a means of determining the number, flow characteristics, and diameter of medial calf perforating veins, and the presence of deep and superficial main stem reflux or occlusion in 50 limbs with no clinical or duplex evidence of venous disease (clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological grade [CEAP] 0), 95 limbs with varicose veins only (CEAP 2/3), 58 limbs affected by lipodermatosclerosis but not ulcer (CEAP 4), and 108 limbs affected by healed or open venous ulcer (CEAP 5/6).


RESULTS
The proportion of limbs in which any perforating veins and incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) were demonstrated increased significantly with deteriorating clinical status (CEAP 0, 88% and 6%; CEAP 2/3, 95% and 52%; CEAP 4, 98% and 83%; and CEAP 5/6, 98% and 90%, respectively). The total number of perforators, the total number of IPVs, and the median diameters of perforators increased with deteriorating grade (CEAP 0 median diameter, 2 mm [interquartile range, 1 to 3 mm]; CEAP 2/3 median diameter, 3 mm [interquartile range, 2 to 4 mm]; CEAP 4 median diameter, 4 mm [interquartile range, 3 to 5 mm]; and CEAP 5/6 median diameter, 4 mm [interquartile range, 3 to 5 mm]).


CONCLUSIONS
The deteriorating CEAP grade of CVI is associated with an increase in the number and diameter of medial calf perforating veins, particularly those permitting bidirectional flow.
Stuart
W P
WP
University Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
Adam
D J
DJ
Allan
P L
PL
Ruckley
C V
CV
Bradbury
A W
AW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology