Evaluation of the application of color Doppler flow imaging in diagnosis of perforating venous insufficiency of the lower extremity

Objective To estimate the role of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) in diagnosis of perforating venous insufficiency in the lower extremity.Methods Fifty-four cases with chronic venous insufficiency were reviewed and analyzed.The diagnostic results of insufficient perforating veins location by CDFI were compared with the results from vein venography and surgery.Results In the 54 cases,156 perforating veins were found with reflux by CDFI,145 perforating veins were ligated during subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery(SEPS).Only 130 out of 156 perforating veins location were confirmed by SEPS.The match rate by CDFI for diagnosis of insufficiency perforating veins was 89.7%.However,only 122 perforating veins were found in the same group patients by vein venography,and the match rate by venography for diagnosis of insufficiency perforating veins was 84.1%.There was no statistical significant difference for diagnosis of insufficiency perforating veins between CDFI and vein venography,(P0.05).Conclusion CDFI is a useful technique for the diagnosis of insufficiency perforating vein in lower extremity.It can provide an unharmful,reliable inspection for clinical diagnosis.