title: Lower limb veins color and spectral Doppler ultrasonography examination. An examination protocol.
abstract: Lower extremity's venous pathology was traditionally investigated by intravenous venography. Nowadays Color Doppler flow imaging is widely accepted as a well established, noninvasive method for the evaluation of deep pelvic and lower extremity's venous system. The vast majority of authors conclude that the method can safely replace diagnostic venography in all patients with venous thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and valve or communicating veins insuffciency. Optimal performance of Color Doppler flow imaging as a diagnostic tool for the whole lower limb veins requires: Proper equipment specifications and settings. Knowledge of regional venous anatomy. Established examination protocols. Evaluation of morphological and functional findings. Documentation of the findings. All these steps are described as a sequence of guidelines, photographs and multiple ultrasonographic images. Our paper can be useful to all physicians or sonographers involved with color Doppler studies for the evaluation of lower limb venous diseases and abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Athens Hippocration, Athens, Greece. red-rad@ath.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: Athanasios N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Chalazonitis
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Condilis
authors.forename: Joannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tzovara
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ptohis
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laspas
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neofytou
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Feida
authors.forename: Artemisia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzannetaki
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*