Venous Duplex Scan Upper and Lower Limbs

Duplex scanning has almost replaced venography as the diagnostic modality of choice in venous disease. It is cost-effective, pain fee, non-invasive and very accurate in diagnosing DVT.

Recent advances in ultrasound technology have improved the imaging of previously difficult abdominal and lower limb veins. In the patient with suspected DVT, duplex scan is now the first test of choice.

Another area in which venous duplex is used is for venous mapping prior to varicose vein surgery. This is particularly useful in the patient with recurrent perforating and deep venous incompetence. Patients with primary varicose veins also require duplex scanning to exclude deep vein obstruction or incompetence.

Indications

For lower limb

• Leg pain Positive Homan’s signs.
• Tight swollen leg.
• Suspected PE.
• Tenderness in the leg.
• Feeling of heaviness in leg.
• Surveillance pre or post surgery or other high risk event.
• Chronic leg ulcers or stasis colour changes in leg.
• Primary varicose veins.
• Vein mapping to assess for graft suitability.

For upper limb

• Neck or arm swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness