Percutaneous Transpopliteal Venography : A New Method of Evaluating Lower Extremity Venous Valvular Function

The authors advocate percutaneous transpopliteal venography as a new and reliable method of evaluating the function of the valves in the deep veins, espe cially those in the femoropopliteal vein, of the lower extremity. At the popliteal fossa, the popliteal vein is punctured and a catheter is inserted proximally for venographic study of the valves. By this method, not only is the iliofemoropopli teal vein clearly visualized, but also the function of the valves in this venous segment may be accurately tested one by one, making up for the shortcomings of ascending and descending venography. It has been found, through this venog raphy, that even if the highest valve of the superficial femoral vein is competent, the distal valves in the femoral and popliteal veins may become incompetent, also resulting in primary valvular incompetence of the deep veins in the lower extremity.