HOW TO DIAGNOSE VARICOSE VEINS

How to diagnose varicose veins?

Since most veins lie deep to the skin’s surface, vein disorders are not always visible to the naked eye. This is more so in dark skinned individuals. As a result, diagnostic ultrasound (Colour Doppler) is often used to determine the cause and severity of the problem.

A MR venography may also be needed to define the veins well or look for vascular malformations. Sometimes, your surgeon may ask for an abdominal ultrasound as well, to look for any abdominal mass that may be pressing on your big veins, resulting in reflux and varicose veins. This is also useful to pick up reflux in the pelvic veins, causing pelvic congestion syndrome.

Rarely, you need further tests if your surgeon feels necessary.