title: Automated volume scanner system ultrasonography for evaluation of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the utility of automated volume scanner system (AVSS) ultrasonography in the clinical evaluation of varicose veins of the leg.
  
  
  METHODS
  Varicose veins of the leg were evaluated using both handheld ultrasonography and AVSS. Morphological features (tortuosity, focal  ectasia, thrombosis) and saphenous vein diameter were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 69 legs (43 patients) were examined. The overall quality of AVSS images was excellent in all cases. AVSS allowed visualization of the entire length of the great and small saphenous veins. Significantly more  cases of tortuosity, focal ectasia and thrombosis were detected using AVSS than handheld ultrasonography. The size and mean diameter of veins were consistent between the two methodologies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coronal plane AVSS ultrasonography images were useful for the detection of tortuosity, focal  ectasia and thrombosis. AVSS and handheld ultrasonography can be combined to provide both anatomical and functional information, facilitating the planning of surgical treatment of varicose veins.
authors: Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors: X H
authors: XH
authors: Diao
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Chen
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Pang
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery