Venous Insufficiency Evaluation with Duplex Scanning

Abstract

Venous duplex scanning can be divided into two different subcategories: (1) scanning to diagnose thrombus and (2) scanning to diagnose incompetence. Venous incompetence testing is used to assess the physiology of the superfi cial and deep venous systems, making it a much more complex and time-consuming test, primarily because sonographers need to take into consideration the great number of anatomical variations of the superfi cial venous system, venous fl ow patterns, as well as physiology. To perform these examinations effi ciently and to obtain consistent results, it is imperative to standardize protocols and to break down these examinations into manageable components.

A critical appraisal of chronic venous insufficiency ultrasound guidelines—Views of Australian sonographers

“…Hence, CVI-US guidelines and instructional articles have been developed by professional organisation(s) and expert(s) with intentions to ensure that all studies are being performed to the same standard. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In fact, some guidelines may have been developed without comprehensive literature review, resulting in lack of methodological rigour and practical feasibility. Consequently, selection and utilisation of a poor guideline may lead to inadequate examination with inconsistencies and discrepancies in diagnostic findings, potentially hindering the management and treatment of CVD.…”

“…The quality of ultrasound is well‐known to be dependent on operators' experience and expertise. Hence, CVI‐US guidelines and instructional articles have been developed by professional organisation(s) and expert(s) with intentions to ensure that all studies are being performed to the same standard 7–17 . In fact, some guidelines may have been developed without comprehensive literature review, resulting in lack of methodological rigour and practical feasibility.…”