Nonvisible insufficient subcutaneous reticular venous plexus can be observed through the skin using a new illumination method.
BACKGROUND
Insufficient subcutaneous reticular venous plexus (ISRVP) is an overlooked disease because the human eye cannot see many of the insufficient veins.


OBJECTIVE
To present a total reticular vision (TRV) method that exposes nonvisible ISRVP to normal vision.


METHODS
TRV used visual-spectrum white and red light of 700 nm and infrared light of 15 to 850 nm from an ultradigital viewer camera. We studied 124 asymptomatic subjects from the general population without visible ISRVP. Another six patients with ISRVP without other venous pathology were compared with six healthy controls, Very low pressure was applied to the proximal thigh, and minimal volume increments on the medial malleolus were photoplethysmographically registered to validate subcutaneous venous reflux.


RESULTS
Total reticular vision exposed ISRVP on the lower extremities in 72 of 124 subjects (58%), with observed damaged veins corresponding to more than 90% of nonvisible and 5% of visible portions of ISRVP. Subcutaneous reflux was registered only in patients with ISRVP.


CONCLUSIONS
Total reticular vision exposed more than 90% of nonvisible ISRVP, a new pathology, allowing for the study of its relationship with other superficial venous insufficiencies. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Bustos
Luis Lopez
LL
Unidad de Enfermedades Circulatorias, Tijuana, BC, Mexico. luislobu@hotmail.com
Fronek
Arnost
A
Lopez-Kapke
Luis
L
Henriquez
Jose A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008875:Middle Aged; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue; D014172:Transillumination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis*