SHOULD BODY-MASS INDEX AFFECT THE CHOICE OF PROBE FREQUENCY IN THE CLINICAL-ASSESSMENT OF VARICOSE-VEINS USING HAND-HELD DOPPLER

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether an increased body mass index should influence the choice of continuous-wave Dopple r probe frequency in the clinical assessment of patients with varicose veins. Design: Prospective assessment of the effect of raised body ma ss index on the accuracy of clinical assessment of venous reflux using 4 and 8 MHz Doppler probes compared with duplex scanning. Setting: Th e ultrasound department of a university teaching hospital. Patients: S eventy-two patients with symptomatic primary varicose veins (108 limbs ), who had not undergone previous injection sclerotherapy or surgical treatment. Main outcome measures: Measurement of body mass index and a ssessment of reflux with hand-held Doppler using 4 and 8 MHz probes im mediately followed by duplex scanning. Results: There was no significa nt difference between the 4 and 8 MHz Doppler probes in the accuracy o f detection of reflux at the sapheno-femoral junction, in the long sap henous vein or at the sapheno-popliteal junction in the whole patient group or in the obese subgroup. Conclusion: Body mass index should not influence the choice of probe frequency (between 4 and 8 MHz) in the clinical assessment of patients with primary previously untreated vari cose veins.