Prior treatment

The physician should discuss prior treatment for venous disease. However, he or she must realize that although proper ligation, with or without stripping of the main saphenous trunks, implies that reflux through the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) and saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) has been prevented, this is not always the case. Some have proposed that in up to 27% of patients there is a duplication of the GSV;^11–13 thus, the removal of the GSV may be followed by the development of varicosity in the remaining GSV, although this is not universally accepted.

In 20% to 40% the SSV has a variable termination^14–17 that is not in the popliteal vein at or above the popliteal fossa. Therefore, the actual SPJ must be correctly diagnosed otherwise it will lead to an apparent rapid recurrence with varicose changes occurring in the remaining segment of the SSV and its tributaries. Finally, in a number of patients, a recurrence of varicose veins in the upper thigh may be the result of incomplete ligation and division of the other tributaries arising at the level of the SFJ or failure to accomplish the ligation flush with the femoral vein. In fact, in a review of 341 extremities that underwent repeat operations for varicose veins, Lofgren et al¹⁷ found that 61% had inadequate ligation. These facts make it imperative that, even in the patient with a history of ligation, division, and stripping, an examination for reflux through the SFJ and SPJ be performed.

The physician should consider responses to and complications from all treatment modalities (sclerotherapy, laser, etc.). Certain complications, such as ischemic ulceration caused by injection into an arteriovenous malformation, can be avoided more easily if their prior diagnosis is made. Given the predilection for these to occur in a particular anatomic distribution(s), the physician might avoid treating that area or use greater caution in the previously affected region. A history of prior hyperpigmentation, blushing, or poor response to a particular sclerosing agent may support a variety of changes in treatment protocol, such as altering the sclerosant concentration, increasing the strength or duration of compression, and paying greater attention to post-treatment thrombectomy.

Symptoms

It is not well known that presence and severity of symptoms has no correlation with the size or severity of varicose veins present. Symptoms usually attributable to varicose veins include feelings of heaviness, tiredness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, and cramping in the legs (Box 5.1). These symptoms are generally worse with prolonged sitting or standing and are improved with leg elevation or walking. A premenstrual exacerbation of symptoms is also common. Patients typically find relief with the use of compression in the form of either support hose or an elastic bandage if they are compliant. Compliance can be a challenge. Weight loss or the commencement of a regular program of lower extremity exercise may also lead to a diminution in the severity of varicose vein symptoms. Clearly, these symptoms are not specific, as they may also be indicative of a variety of rheumatologic or orthopedic problems. However, their relationship to lower extremity movement and compression is usually helpful in establishing a venous origin for the symptoms. Significant symptoms suggestive of chronic venous disease should prompt further evaluation for valvular insufficiency and calf muscle pump dysfunction. If a venous etiology is suspected but all examinations are negative, repeat examination during a symptomatic period is warranted and often fruitful.

The recent development of an extremely painful area on the lower leg associated with an overlying area of erythema and warmth may be indicative of lipodermatosclerosis, which may be associated with insufficiency of underlying perforator veins or reflux from a proximal point. Examination for underlying perforator vein reflux should be performed. Lipodermatosclerosis may precede ulceration and has been shown to be improved by stiff compression and certain pharmacologic interventions.¹⁸

Rarely, patients with a history of iliofemoral thrombophlebitis who describe ‘bursting’ pain with walking may be suffering from ‘venous claudication’. In these patients, an evaluation for persistent hemodynamically significant obstruction, possibly treatable with venous bypass surgery, is appropriate.¹⁹

Complications of varicose vein disease

Complications such as ulceration and hemorrhage should be discussed with the patient because this provides additional insight into both the severity and the probable locations of abnormality within the venous system. A history of ulceration of the medial aspect of the lower leg should prompt further examination of the GSV trunk,⁶ whereas involvement of the lateral aspect of the lower leg suggests an abnormality in the SSV, in addition to the deep and perforating vein systems. A history of hemorrhage from telangiectasias in a particular area suggests further examination for underlying incompetent perforators and is an indication to treat all suspicious telangiectasias.²⁰

Trendelenburg test

For the Trendelenburg test, a tourniquet may be placed around the patient’s proximal thigh while the patient is standing. The patient then assumes the supine position with the affected leg elevated 45 degrees. The tourniquet is removed and the time required for the leg veins to empty, which is indicative of the adequacy of venous drainage, is recorded.

When compared with the contralateral leg, the method just described may demonstrate a degree of venous obstructive disease. Another approach is to elevate the leg while the patient is supine and to observe the height of the heel in relation to the level of the heart that is required for the prominent veins to collapse (Fig. 5.2). Unfortunately, neither procedure is sufficiently sensitive or accurate, or able to differentiate acute from chronic obstruction, which means neither of them is much assistance in current medical practice. This emphasizes the important role of duplex ultrasound in modern evaluation of the superficial venous system. One study found that pneumatic tourniquets only occluded 27% of saphenous trunks.²⁴ Several other physical examination maneuvers, described below, can provide information on the competence of the venous valves.

Figure 5.2 Venous outflow may also be assessed by elevating the leg until the superficial veins collapse and then measuring the distance (X) from the heart to the heel and comparing this measurement with the other leg.

Cough test

One hand is placed gently over the GSV or SFJ and the patient is asked to cough or perform a Valsalva maneuver (Fig. 5.3). Simply palpating an impulse over the vein being examined may be indicative of insufficiency of the valve at the SFJ and below to the level of the palpating hand. This test, however, is not applicable to the examination of the SSV and SPJ (see following section).¹⁴ Palpation of a thrill during this maneuver is generally more diagnostic. One study found a low sensitivity of 0.59 and low specificity of 0.67 with this test.²⁵

Figure 5.3 Cough test. The saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) is palpated while the patient coughs. Palpation of an impulse is indicative of SFJ insufficiency.

Percussion/Schwartz test

One hand is placed over the SFJ or SPJ while the other hand is used to tap very lightly on a distal segment of the GSV or SSV (Fig. 5.4). The production of an impulse in this manner implies insufficiency of the valves in the segment between the two hands. Confirmation of valvular insufficiency can be achieved by tapping proximally while palpating distally. This test can also be used to detect whether an enlarged tributary is in direct connection with the GSV or SSV by palpating over the main trunk and tapping lightly on the dilated tributary, or vice versa. The presence of a direct connection results in a palpable impulse being transmitted from the percussing to the palpating hand. As might be expected, these tests are far from infallible. In a study of 105 limbs, Chan et al²⁶ found that these clinical examination techniques correctly identified SFJ incompetence in only 82% of limbs. False negatives were believed to be caused primarily by previous groin surgery with resultant scarring and by obesity. However, false positives were the result of variations in venous anatomy, such as a dilated tributary emptying into the common femoral vein (CFV) adjacent to the GSV or the absence of valves in an otherwise normal CFV and external iliac vein (seen in 5% to 30% of patients).^27,28 Another study showed a low sensitivity of 0.59 with a high specificity of 0.92.²⁵ A further source of error with the cough and/or percussion test is simply a misinterpretation of the muscle contraction that occurs with coughing as a reflux impulse.

Figure 5.4 Percussion test. The saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) is palpated while the small saphenous vein is gently percussed. Palpation of an impulse is indicative of SPJ insufficiency.

Brodie-Trendelenburg test

The Brodie-Trendelenburg test traditionally involves the manual obstruction of the proximal end of the GSV (or SSV) while the patient lies supine with the leg elevated, after stroking the vein in a cephalad direction to empty it of blood.^22,29–32 The patient then assumes the standing position, and the leg is observed for 30 seconds (Fig. 5.5). In a ‘nil’ test there is slow filling of the veins from below, and the release of the compression does not result in rapid filling from above, indicating competence of valves in deep and perforating veins and at the SFJ (Fig. 5.6A). Rapid filling of the GSV or more distal tributaries that occurs only after release of the compression constitutes a ‘positive’ test, indicating the presence of an insufficient valve at the SFJ (Fig. 5.6B). In the ‘double-positive’ test, some distension of the veins occurs within the initial 30 seconds while the compression is maintained, as well as additional filling once the compression is released (Fig. 5.6C). This is taken as evidence of incompetent deep and perforating veins as well as reflux through the SFJ. A ‘negative’ test occurs when the veins fill within the initial 30 seconds with no increased filling after the compression is released, implying only deep and perforating valvular insufficiency (Fig. 5.6D). The reverse may not be true; that is, filling in longer than 30 seconds does not imply competence of perforating veins. In a study of 901 extremities, Sherman³³ found that 95% had a nil Trendelenburg test, but surgical exploration later showed incompetent perforators in 90% of these patients. Another study showed a high sensitivity of 0.91 with a low specificity of 0.15.²⁵

Figure 5.5 Brodie-Trendelenburg test. A, The proximal portion of the great saphenous vein is obstructed after the veins have emptied with the leg elevated. B, The distal veins are then observed after the patient stands. C, The veins are further inspected after the tourniquet is released. In this case, filling of the veins on standing and additional filling after tourniquet removal constitutes a double-positive test.

Figure 5.6 Interpreting the Brodie-Trendelenburg test. A, Nil: no distension of the veins for 30 s both while the tourniquet remains on and after it is removed implies a lack of reflux. B, Positive: distension of the veins only after the tourniquet is released implies reflux only through the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). C, Double positive: distension of the veins while the tourniquet remains on and further distension after it is removed implies reflux through perforating veins and the SFJ. D, Negative: distension of the veins while the tourniquet remains on and no additional distension once it is removed implies reflux only through perforating veins.

The Brodie-Trendelenburg test thus can be an important method of localizing the most proximal site of reflux in most dilated superficial veins by obstructing the GSV, SSV, or whichever vein is suspected of refluxing into a more distal vein. The physician can also place the examining finger over palpable fascial defects in the leg while the patient is supine and then release the obstructions one by one after the patient is standing. This allows the sites of insufficient perforators, or ‘points of control’ (considered so crucial in Fegan’s technique of sclerotherapy), to be defined, because the superficial veins distal to the insufficient perforator fill rapidly once the obstructing fingers are removed (see Chapter 9).^34,35

With this technique, described well in many papers,^21,34–37 the practitioner first marks on the leg the sites of all dilated varicosities. The patient then assumes the supine position with the leg elevated to approximately 60 degrees to empty the veins. After at least 20 seconds, or when the distended veins are flattened, the leg is gently and rapidly palpated to detect any defects in the fascia. With experience, these can be detected easily as places that allow the entrance of the examining finger without the use of any pressure. Fascial defects can be caused by many abnormalities other than perforating veins, thus the practitioner continues the examination by compressing the individual fascial defects with his or her fingers and then having the patient stand. The fingers are then released one by one, starting with the most distal defect, and rapid filling of more distal varicosities is noted (Fig. 5.7). Those defects that cause distal filling when released are assumed to correspond to sites of IPVs. In the presence of a dilated GSV or SSV, these points of reflux first must be controlled with either digital compression or a tourniquet to evaluate the lower volume reflux through the perforators. For the evaluation to be helpful, compression of the defects must first cause sustained flattening of the varicosities when the patient initially stands. If the veins fill before any of the fingers are released, the test must be restarted and other sites compressed until the sites responsible for the reflux are located. This examination is associated with a 50% to 70% accuracy^36–39 compared with findings at surgical exploration. Repeated examination at different times and improvement of edema allows the detection of increased numbers of perforators.

Figure 5.7 A, Compression of fascial defects indicating ‘points of control’ of an incompetent perforating vein with the leg elevated. B, When the patient stands, the varicose vein remains collapsed while pressure is maintained over control points and distends when the control point is released.

Bracey Variation

A clever variation of the Brodie-Trendelenburg technique was proposed by Bracey⁴⁰ in 1958 (Fig. 5.8). He used a flat, 3.8-cm-wide, rubber tourniquet and two rubber rings covered with latex, with inside diameters of 7 cm and 8.2 cm. The smaller ring is used between the ankle and knee and may also be used for the thigh if the patient is thin. If not, the larger ring is used for the thigh. With the patient standing, the small ring is rolled over the foot to just above the ankle, and the rubber tourniquet is then placed below the ring to obstruct any upward flow of blood through the superficial veins. The small ring is then slowly rolled upward, emptying the superficial veins as it moves. As soon as it passes an IPV, the blood enters the superficial vein that connects with it, causing a dilation of the vein. The exit site of the perforating vein may then be marked. This reflux of blood can be accentuated by asking the patient to repetitively dorsiflex the foot. When the ring reaches the knee, the tourniquet is moved up to the knee, just below the ring. Either the smaller or larger ring is then used similarly to examine the thigh.

Figure 5.8 Device for the detection of incompetent perforating vein (IPV). A, Two rubber rings are placed around the ankle, and, B, the more proximally placed ring is slowly rolled upward. C, As it rolls above an IPV, the reflux of blood through the IPV causes an immediate distension of a superficial varix or the formation of a large bulge at the site of the IPV.

Perthes’ test

The Perthes’ test^22,32,41 has several uses, including distinguishing between venous valvular insufficiency in the deep, perforator, and superficial systems and screening for DVT (Table 5.2). To localize the site of valvular disease, the physician places a tourniquet around the proximal thigh with the patient standing. When the patient ambulates, a decrease in the distension of varicose veins suggests a primary process without underlying deep venous disease because the calf muscle pump effectively removes blood from the leg and empties the varicose veins. Secondary varicose veins do not change caliber (if there is patency of the deep venous system) because of the inability to empty blood out of the veins as a result of impairment of the calf muscle pump. In the setting of a concurrent DVT, they may increase in size. If there is significant chronic or acute obstructive disease in the iliofemoral segment, the patient may note pain (venous claudication)^42–44 as a result of the obstruction to outflow through both the deep and superficial systems. Information regarding the presence of deep venous valvular insufficiency and thrombosis is important to note in patient selection. This avoids causing catastrophic complications, such as pulmonary embolism resulting from an undiagnosed and worsened DVT or venous claudication caused by further impairment of venous return. Indeed, these two complications are serious enough to warrant the use of a much more sensitive and accurate method; therefore the Perthes’ test is now of more historical than actual clinical importance.

Table 5.2 Perthes’ test

To test for perforator valvular defects, the physician may embellish the traditional Perthes’ test by placing a tourniquet around the calf just below the popliteal fossa.³⁴ If the dilated superficial veins in the calf and ankle become less prominent as the patient ambulates, this implies that the blood is being drawn into the deep system through competent perforating veins. However, if the veins become increasingly dilated, the perforating veins must be incompetent. A more involved test, the Mahorner-Ochsner comparative tourniquet test, similarly localizes the site(s) of reflux by observing the leg while the patient walks with the tourniquet placed at various levels on the leg (upper, middle, and lower thigh) (Fig. 5.9).³²

Figure 5.9 Comparative tourniquet test. Distension of the varices in each segment of the leg when the patient ambulates implies the presence of incompetent perforating veins in each segment.

Characteristics of Doppler waveform

Venous Doppler signals display five characteristics (Box 5.2). In a normal patient, there should be a spontaneous signal over any vessel not otherwise vasoconstricted, and the flow should be only unidirectional. This signal diminishes in intensity with inspiration as descent of the diaphragm causes a rise in intra-abdominal pressure, thus decreasing venous outflow from the leg. It will be augmented similarly with exhalation. This waxing and waning of the intensity of the signal with the respiratory cycle is a phenomenon known as phasicity. Venous signals are continuous except for their respiratory variation and are not pulsatile, except in the setting of elevated right heart pressure such as congestive heart failure or tricuspid insufficiency⁵⁶ or in the normal CFV.⁵⁷ Finally, and most important to their usefulness in the evaluation of patients with varicose veins, venous signals may be augmented with certain compression maneuvers. It is the response to these maneuvers that provides information regarding the sites of valvular insufficiency and obstruction of the venous system.

By compressing the limb distal to the Doppler probe (Fig. 5.12), the examiner increases the flow through the vein; an immediate increase in the signal intensity should be heard if there is no proximal obstruction. In the presence of a hemodynamically significant DVT, the augmented response is weaker and delayed compared with the contralateral side. With the patient in the upright position, release of distal compression should be followed by silence as the valves close in response to the downward pressure of the blood being pulled by gravity. With the patient in the supine position, release of the compression should normally be followed by the return of the lower intensity spontaneous signal or by silence in the smaller veins. In the setting of valvular insufficiency at the level of the Doppler probe, a loud reflux flow signal can be heard on release of distal compression as blood is pulled in a caudal direction by gravity. To quantitate this reflux flow, the compression used may be standardized by using a pneumatic cuff inflated to a standard pressure (e.g. 80–120 mmHg), and the amplitude and duration of reflux may be read from the tracing obtained. To be considered true reflux and not merely delayed valve closure, the duration of reflux must be at least 0.5 seconds.^8,58 Although many now believe that over 1 second is the appropriate duration above which to consider it abnormal.

Figure 5.12 A, Method of producing augmentation of flow in the posterior tibial vein by distal (foot) compression. B, Shows: A, normal flow; B, venous obstruction; C, valvular insufficiency.

The other method of augmentation is proximal compression and release (Fig. 5.13). Proximal compression produces a transient obstruction to outflow and thus causes an accumulation of blood distally, with an associated interruption of the Doppler signal. On its release, the large bolus of blood flowing past the Doppler probe creates a loud signal. This has also been found to be the more sensitive maneuver in diagnosing DVT, even that limited to calf veins, with a diminished or delayed signal indicative of a significant thrombosis.^59,60 Valvular insufficiency is discovered easily, because proximal compression yields a loud reflux flow instead of silence.

Figure 5.13 A, Method of producing augmentation of flow in the posterior tibial vein by release of proximal (calf) compression. B, Shows: A, normal flow; B, venous obstruction; C, valvular insufficiency.

In early descriptions of the use of Doppler ultrasound for detection of venous disease, Sigel et al⁵¹ named the various sounds ‘S’ for spontaneous and ‘A’ for augmented. They further specified ‘A’ sounds as distal (if the compression was distal to the probe) or proximal (if the compression was proximal to the probe), and positive if the ‘A’ sound was heard directly with compression or negative if heard on release of the compression. This notation thus makes it possible for four ‘A’ sounds to be generated at each site being examined. Table 5.3 summarizes these sounds and their significance. This schema provides a useful method of categorizing these sounds; however, the ‘S’ and ‘A’ nomenclature has not found generalized acceptance. Instead, sounds are referred to as manifesting flux or reflux, antegrade or retrograde flow, patency or incompetence, etc.

Table 5.3 Interpretation of ‘A’ sounds

Augmentation of the most proximal portion of the GSV and of the more proximal deep veins is accomplished either by compressing the abdomen or by using a variation of the proximal compression and release, and the Valsalva maneuver (Fig. 5.14). The rise in intra-abdominal pressure caused by descent of the diaphragm is accentuated by contraction of the intercostal muscles. In the normal patient, an abrupt closure of the valves results in silence. However, more than 38% of normal persons have a brief period of reflux at the commencement of the Valsalva.⁶¹ Also, with a weak effort by the patient, a slow retrograde flow may pass through the valve and produce a Doppler flow signal because sufficient force to cause valve closure has not been generated. Visualization of the valves using ultrasound demonstrates that these valves do close eventually, and that they are not actually insufficient.⁶² Therefore, the continuation of reflux through at least half of the period of compression, or at least 0.5 seconds (usually 1–4 seconds), is important in diagnosing pathologic valvular incompetence.^8,58 A less sensitive, but perhaps more specific, response may be elicited simply with deep breathing. With valvular insufficiency, instead of hearing the cessation of flow as the patient takes a deep breath, flow is reversed and a continuous signal heard, which shows a reverse deflection on a directional Doppler tracing (Fig. 5.15). The Valsalva maneuver is sometimes hard to explain to patients, and difficult to standardize; to facilitate, several tricks have been proposed, for example blowing into a surgical latex glove.⁶³ When using the Valsalva maneuver to produce reflux while listening over more distal veins, the examiner must realize that the path of the reflux may be either straight down the superficial vein or through the deep vein to the perforating vein and into the superficial vein (Fig. 5.16).⁶⁴ Therefore, additional testing is necessary to further delineate the exact site of abnormality. This is easily accomplished by manually obstructing the superficial vein; if reflux is still heard, the retrograde flow is assumed to be traveling through the deep and perforating systems.

Figure 5.14 Augmentation of flow in the common femoral vein or through the saphenofemoral junction with intermittent compression of the abdomen or with Valsalva maneuver and release (not shown).

Figure 5.15 Venous Doppler tracings. A, Normal phasic flow. B, Reflux with deep inspiration in the setting of valvular insufficiency.

Figure 5.16 Pathways of reflux are typically through the saphenofemoral junction but may also be through atypical channels, such as through a deep vein via a perforating vein into a superficial vein (shown). Reflux may also travel through a superficial vein via a perforating vein into another superficial vein (not shown).

(Redrawn from Schultz-Ehrenburg U, Hubner HJ: Reflux diagnosis with Doppler ultrasound. In: Findings in angiology and phlebology, vol 35, New York, 1989, FK Schattauer Verlag.)

Doppler examination technique

The Doppler examination of the patient is begun with the deep veins, several of which are easily accessible.