Varicose veins

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Circulatory system

Varicose veins

Varicosity; Varicosis

• Pain in the legs : fullness, heaviness, aching
• Visible, enlarged veins
• Mild swelling of ankles
• Skin at the ankle discolored brown
• Skin ulcers near the ankle

The diagnosis is based primarily on the characteristic appearance of the legs when the patient is standing or is seated with the legs dangling. At times a physician may order a duplex ultrasound exam of extremity to see blood flow and characterize the vessels, and to rule out other disorders of the legs. Rarely, an angiography of the legs may be performed to rule out other disorders.

Review Date: 01/22/2007
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.