DUPLEX SCANNING AND LIGHT-REFLECTION RHEOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERITY OF SHORT SAPHENOUS-VEIN INCOMPETENCE

BACKGROUND. Duplex ultrasound assessment of veins in the popliteal fos sa is an accepted alternative to venography. Light reflection rheograp hy provides additional quantitative information on venous reflux in ch ronic venous insufficiency. OBJECTIVE. To use duplex ultrasound and li ght reflection rheography to study the venous reflux patterns in the p opliteal fossa in a group of patients. METHODS. Duplex ultrasound exam ination and light reflection rheography were used in the assessment of the severity of short saphenous vein incompetence. RESULTS. The study revealed that any associated deep venous reflux which was detectable beyond the saphenopopliteal junction represented a more advanced stage of superficial venous insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS. Light reflection rh eography, as a semiquantitative test, provided useful additional infor mation to duplex scan findings in assessing venous reflux of the popli teal fossa. Short saphenous vein reflux with functional deep venous in competence was associated with shorter venous refilling times and clin ically represented a more advanced stage of primary varicose vein dise ase.