Direct CT Venography in the Diagnosis of Varicose Veins of Lower Limb / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To explore the value of direct CT venography (CTV) for the diagnosis of varicose veins of lower limb. Materials and methods Forty patients diagnosed as varicose veins of lower limbs were enrolled. 40 patients with 56 involved limbs underwent direct CTV examination, and their images were stratified and evaluated according to the severity and the scope of the disease. Main assessmentdefinition and scope of CT axial scans combined with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection for the display of the varicose veins; situation for the display of perforating veins, deep veins and iliac veins;diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA. Results All of the 56 involved limbs underwent laser intra-cavity occlusion surgery, among them 7 cases with 11 limbs underwent venous angiography under DSA at the same time. In the evaluation of the VR, excellent proportion was 92.86%(52/56), moderate proportion was 7.14%(4/56). Among the deep veins, ratio of the imaging that was able to meet the diagnostic standard was 94.34%, 88.46%and 27.27%, respectively for calf vein, femoral vein and external iliac vein. The total demonstration rate of perforating veins was 98.21%(55/56). Diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA was 100.00%. Conclusion Lower extremity direct CTV imaging is convenient and noninvasive for patients with varicose veins, with high compliance with DSA results, thus is significantly valuable for the guide of clinical treatment.