How varicose veins are diagnosed
The most effective treatments for varicose veins are minimally invasive and guided by accurate medical imaging, including colour duplex ultrasound or how varicose veins are diagnosed.
It is widely accepted that successful varicose vein treatment requires good imaging in the form of colour duplex ultrasound scanning to accurately map the anatomy (what the veins look like) and the physiology (how they are working eg. direction of blood flow).
Even with the most innocent spiders it is important to check for valve failure and reflux as management of any sort of venous problem which neglects to detect and treat underlying reflux will fail. There may be short term success but the problem will recur and get worse.
Colour duplex ultrasound is a painless quick and non-invasive test. It is essential even in cases where reflux at the commonest site is detected clinically as the colour duplex test can detect other important features like further refluxing segments and variants of normal anatomy which may well alter the optimum treatment plan.
It is best if the doctor who is to undertake the treatment personally carries out the scan at the time of your consultation. This enables him to determine exactly what treatment is best and then be able to discuss and agree this with you.