Should Body Mass Index Affect the Choice of Probe Frequency in the Clinical Assessment of Varicose Veins Using Hand-Held Doppler?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether an increased body mass index should influence the choice of continuous-wave Doppler probe frequency in the clinical assessment of patients with varicose veins. Design: Prospective assessment of the effect of raised body mass index on the accuracy of clinical assessment of venous reflux using 4 and 8 MHz Doppler probes compared with duplex scanning. Setting: The ultrasound department of a university teaching hospital. Patients: Seventy-two patients with symptomatic primary varicose veins (108 limbs), who had not undergone previous injection sclerotherapy or surgical treatment. Main outcome measures: Measurement of body mass index and assessment of reflux with hand-held Doppler using 4 and 8 MHz probes immediately followed by duplex scanning. Results: There was no significant difference between the 4 and 8 MHz Doppler probes in the accuracy of detection of reflux at the sapheno-femoral junction, in the long saphenous vein or at the sapheno-popliteal junction in the whole patient group or in the obese subgroup. Conclusion: Body mass index should not influence the choice of probe frequency (between 4 and 8 MHz) in the clinical assessment of patients with primary previously untreated varicose veins.