Varicose Veins

Question 1

Risk factors for varicosities

Answer 1

Inherited structural weakness of valves contributing factors may be age female ocp jobs that require prolonged standing pregnancy obesity

Question 2

What would u find on examination of a patient with varicose veins

Answer 2

Visible long dilated tortuous veins
Long saphenous is medial and that’s where you find 80% of them

Evidence of deep vein insufficiency: hyperpigmentation, hemosiderosis, stasis eczema, lipodermatosclerosis

Saphena varix: dilation of saphenous vein in groin which mistaken for femoral hernia as it gives cough impulse.. duplex ultrasound to distinguish

Question 3

Complication of varicose veins

Answer 3

Superficial thrombophlebitis(blood clot block one or more veins in leg)

Hemorrhage whether external or subcutaneous

Ulceration

Question 4

Good standard for investigating varicose veins

Answer 4

Duplex sonography

Question 5

Management of varicose veins

Answer 5

Conservative
Elevate leg
Compression stocking

Invasive
Sclerotherapy

Radio frequency ablation: gold standard - heating vein from inside which closes it off

Surgical:
Lsv, ssv, perforator surgery