Varicose Veins

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic physicians are experienced in diagnosing varicose veins. The comprehensive testing available at Mayo determines the severity of varicose veins, allowing physicians to identify the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Diagnosis and evaluation of patients at Mayo Clinic may include several tests.

Physical Examination and Tests

Physicians perform a comprehensive examination to determine varicose veins, including a physical examination and diagnostic tests. Physicians will also discuss a patient's medical history and any symptoms, such as pain and aching in the legs, blood clots or ulcers.

Ultrasound

A team of experienced certified ultrasound technicians perform ultrasound at Mayo Clinic. An ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless test commonly performed to determine if any blood clots or leaking valves are present in the veins. Through a hand-held device (transducer) placed over the affected area, high-frequency sound waves bounce off the veins and are reflected back to provide detailed images of the veins.

Usually, an ultrasound for varicose veins includes duplex imaging, a test to find leaking valves and blood clots in the legs. A comprehensive duplex ultrasound is one of the most important tests conducted to diagnose varicose veins. The results of an ultrasound can help determine the most effective treatment for each patient with varicose veins.

Plethysmography

Plethysmography is a noninvasive painless functional test that determines how well the leg veins are working as a whole.

Venogram

A venogram is a rarely used invasive test using contrast dye injected into veins. X-rays are taken of the veins to look for blockages, leaking valves and blood clots.

Other tests may include checks for blood pressure and blood tests to determine if the patient has diabetes or blood vessel conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which may be causing blood circulation problems.