Venous Ultrasound
of the Legs (Lower Extremity Doppler)
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What is the
test?
This type of ultrasound shows if there is a
blockage in a leg vein. Such blockages are usually
caused by blood clots, which can be dangerous
and even lifethreatening if they break loose
and travel through the blood to the lungs. If
you have pain or swelling in one leg, your doctor
may order an ultrasound to determine whether
your symptoms are caused by a blockage.
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How
do I prepare for the test?
No preparation is necessary.
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What
happens when the test is performed?
After squirting some clear jelly onto the inside
of one of your thighs to help the ultrasound
sensor slide around easily, a technician or doctor
places the sensor against your skin. Once it's
in place, an image appears on a video screen,
and the technician or doctor moves the sensor
up and down along your leg - from the groin to
the calf - to view the veins from different angles.
The examiner presses the sensor into your skin
firmly every few inches to see if the veins change
shape under pressure. He or she then checks your
other leg in the same way. As the machine measures
the blood flowing through a vein, it makes a
swishing noise in time with the rhythm of your
heartbeat. This test usually takes 15-30 minutes.Most
people don't feel any discomfort, but if your
leg was swollen and sensitive to the touch before
the test, the pressure of the sensor might cause
some tenderness.
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What
risks are there from the test?
There are no risks.
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Must
I do anything special after the test is over?
No.
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How
long is it before the result of the test is
known?
A radiologist reviews a videotape of your ultrasound
and checks for signs of blockages in the veins.Your
doctor should receive a report within a few hours
to a day.
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