Investigation of Popliteal Fossa Venous Reflux

Objective:To assess the relative diagnostic merits of duplex scanning (DS) and dynamic popliteal phlebography (DPP) in the investigation of popliteal fossa venous reflux.Design:Prospective single patient study.Setting:Departments of Vascular Surgery, Radiology and Angiology, Jean Kunlin Unit of Vascular Pathology, Clinique du Grand-Large, Declines Charpieu, France.Patients:Eighteen consecutive patients with venous reflux in the popliteal fossa as demonstrated by hand-held Doppler insonation.Interventions:All limbs were investigated by DS and DPP before undergoing surgical exploration of the Popliteal fossa.Main outcome measures:The findings of the two modes of investigation were compared with the operative findings.Results:Both tests showed good specificity (98% DPP, 96% DS), but only moderate sensitivity (83% DPP, 87.5% DS). Both tests were wrong in two limbs.Conclusion:Phlebography can be reserved for cases where duplex scanning is inconclusive. Unsuspected anomalies will occasionally be found at operat...