Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography before and after shave therapy of venous leg ulcera

Aim and method: 8 healthy persons and 10 patients with non-heating venous u lcers in 11 lower extremities were examined by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) and computed tomography (CT). The extent of the lipodermatosclerosis a nd the distribution of fluid in the tissue was determined before operation and both two weeks and three months after shave-therapy. Result: Refering t o the thickness of sclerosis an average decrease of 0,47 cm (0,2-1,1 cm) wa s observed. Preoperatively, the majority of the patients showed an increase in fluid outside the lipodermatosclerosis. After shave-therapy, however, f luid was observed only in the transplantation area. Conclusion: For the fir st time these studies demonstrate morphological changes after shave-therapy by MRI and CT.