Vascular Ultrasound & Mapping in Melbourne

Vascular Ultrasound Overview

A vascular, duplex ultrasound or arterial Doppler ultrasound is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the body’s blood vessels, which are essential for carrying nutrients to organs and tissues. Vascular ultrasounds are a non-invasive and safe way of providing detailed, real-time information about how blood is flowing through your body. They differ from regular ultrasound which can produce images but can’t be used for vein mapping or examining blood flow in the body.

What are Vascular Ultrasounds Used For?

Vascular ultrasounds can be used to diagnose many conditions including:

• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Blood clots
• Poorly functioning valves in your leg veins
• Decreased blood circulation into your legs
• Heart valve defects and congenital heart disease
• Narrow, blocked or bulging arteries

How It Works

Vascular ultrasounds are capable of tracking how fast blood is flowing by measuring the rate of change in its pitch. During a vascular ultrasound, a technician trained in ultrasound imaging presses a small hand-held device against your skin on the area being examined, moving from one spot to another as necessary.

Sound waves bounce off blood cells and return to the ultrasound machine. These sound waves are recorded and displayed on screen to create a vein map. The speed of the sound waves returning to the ultrasound machine reflect the speed of blood flow in the vessel. When blood is flowing too quickly, it can indicate narrowing or blockage.

Types of Vascular Ultrasounds

There are several different types of vascular ultrasound exams, including:

• Vascular ultrasound of the extremities looks at the arms or legs
• Carotid vascular ultrasound looks at the carotid artery in the neck
• Renal vascular ultrasound examines the kidneys and their blood vessels
• Arterial and venous ultrasound of the abdomen examines blood vessels and blood flow in the abdominal area

Benefits of a Vascular Ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool as it is non-invasive and doesn’t require exposure to radiation or contrast dye. It’s also beneficial due to the physiological information it provides about blood flow in the arteries and veins. Vascular ultrasound devices are also highly portable compared to other types of imaging such as CAT scans or MRI.

Ultrasound Mapping for Varicose Veins

Ultrasound vein mapping for varicose veins involves diagnostic medical imaging to thoroughly assess bulging, enlarged veins throughout the body, especially in the legs where they are most common. Medical professionals recommend this non-invasive vein treatment to evaluate the veins using two ultrasound types:

• B-mode ultrasound for a two-dimensional image of vein structure
• Doppler ultrasound veins to determine blood flow within the circulatory system

Process of Ultrasound Vein Mapping

To help you know what to expect from the ultrasound vein mapping procedure, let’s start with prep, which involves changing into loose-fitting shorts or a gown. This ultrasound procedure will be performed with you standing up, which makes it easier to see the veins. The assessment begins in the groin where the great saphenous vein originates.

A Doppler ultrasound veins assessment is performed to confirm the direction of blood flow in the legs. This can be done by squeezing the calf and monitoring the flow of blood on the screen, with valves placed along the vein to stop blood from falling back down the leg. If the Doppler displays blood flowing down the leg, this indicates the vein is incompetent or not working at all. We then measure the vein diameter to see if it can be laser treated, as incompetent straight veins over 5mm may be treated with endovenous ablation.

We assess and record all veins on a map to confirm if they are working optimally or not. Varicose veins may come from the following superficial systems:

• Great saphenous vein (GSV), starting in the groin and traveling down the leg inside the ankle
• Small saphenous vein (SSV), starting behind the knee and traveling to the outside ankle

Both these systems will be assessed for competence and once the mapping is complete, we will perform a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) study to check for blood clots. Finally, we will consult with you to discuss non-invasive vein treatment options for your varicose veins.

Uses of Ultrasound Treatment for Varicose Veins

Accurate vein mapping enhances treatment outcomes and is the first step to effectively alleviating the discomfort and cosmetic concerns of varicose veins. Ultrasound mapping is particularly beneficial for deeper veins and those with a family history of varicose veins. Following the ultrasound mapping, we will recommend ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation based on your particular case.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS)

One of the most popular non-invasive vein treatment options is ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (UGS), used to treat medium-sized varicose veins that are hidden under the skin. The quick recovery time of this ultrasound treatment for varicose veins makes it an attractive option year-round, and it’s highly regarded as a safe and effective alternative to surgical vein procedures.

How It Works

UGS treatment is highly precise, thanks to foam sclerotherapy which requires less solution while maintaining impressive visibility under ultrasound for careful monitoring. With this method, your phlebologist will insert a fibre-optic probe into the hidden vein, which is then visualised on the ultrasound machine. We inject a solution of sclerosant foam along the length of the vein, causing it to collapse. As the foam adheres to the vessel wall, it’s easier for us to see the treated area.

A Typical Treatment Journey

With ultrasound guiding the sclerotherapy, this precise treatment method for varicose veins is ideal for patients looking for an effective solution, although results, recovery time and comfort levels can vary. You may be able to claim a Medicare rebate, which will be discussed at your consultation.

Here’s what to expect along your treatment journey.

1. Consultation – during your first appointment with a Vein Care physician, we will assess your current vein condition and concerns before outlining treatment options and outcomes. Following a general medical consult, we will provide a quote on expected costs.
2. Booking – when you’re ready to go ahead with UGS, we will schedule your procedure and give you information to prepare for the day of.
3. Procedure – our phlebologist will carefully perform the UGS and then guide you through the recovery process, as some mild bruising and tenderness can be expected.
4. Post-procedure care – Arnica ointment may help with bruising and walking often helps minimise soreness. We are here to assist if you have any questions or concerns after your treatment, with recovery generally taking 1-2 days.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is an advanced treatment for varicose veins. It’s a minimally invasive way to treat major varicose veins, particularly for those previously stripped during surgery. There are substantially fewer complications with endovenous ablation varicose veins treatment compared to stripping surgery. Success rates are between 95 and 98%, making this vascular ultrasound and laser treatment option the preferred option compared to traditional surgical operations in many cases.

Procedure Details

Guided by ultrasound, we make a tiny incision to insert a laser fibre into the abnormal vein. We numb the vein with a local anaesthetic and activate the laser while slowly removing the fibre. This causes a reaction in the treated section of the vein wall, making it collapse. This sclerosis of the vein comes with minimal discomfort, making it a worthwhile avenue for many people with problematic veins.

With endovenous ablation varicose veins treatment, here’s what to expect:

1. During the procedure: while some patients experience slight pressure, generally there is no serious discomfort, as anaesthesia is strategically applied to the saphenous vein to numb the area.
2. After the procedure: most patients can return to normal work and physical activity after a couple of days, although you may feel minor stiffness or soreness in the first week or two.
3. Ongoing recovery: post-procedure care also includes regular walking to support healthy circulation and elevating legs a couple times a day for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Advantages of Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous ablation is effective and often recommended as it’s less painful with fewer side effects compared to vein stripping surgery. Treatment takes about an hour and you can go home the same day. Using an ultrasound to guide the laser application ensures highly precise results as we target stubborn varicose veins without significant pain or impacting other healthy veins. Whether you want to eliminate varicose veins for cosmetic or health reasons, this treatment has an impressive success rate and proven results, as outlined in our free guide.

Explore Non-Invasive Treatments With Vein Care in Melbourne

As you can see, there are highly effective and non-invasive varicose vein treatments using the innovative technology of vascular ultrasounds. Check out case studies and contact us online to learn more or book an appointment with our dedicated vein specialists.