The Vein Ultrasound Advantage: Why In-House Evaluation Makes All the Difference

When you're dealing with symptomatic varicose veins, getting the correct diagnostic ultrasound exam is crucial. You might think an ultrasound from an outpatient imaging center is enough, but I often see why that's not always the case. Here's why having your venous ultrasound done right here in our clinic can be a game-changer for your treatment journey.

Avoiding Unnecessary Appointments and Getting the Right Study

I recently saw a patient with symptomatic varicose veins who had an ultrasound done at an outpatient imaging center. Her primary care physician had ordered it to be checked for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), not the superficial veins which was what she needed.

The report came back negative, indicating her deep veins were clear. Sounds good, right?

The problem was, her superficial veins—the very ones causing her varicose vein symptoms, like the Great Saphenous Vein and Small Saphenous Veins—were never even included in the study!

This is a surprisingly common issue, even in academic settings. It boils down to a systemic problem: both deep vein studies and superficial vein studies often share the same CPT (billing) code. From a sonographer's perspective, the only way to differentiate between them is by looking at the indication, which is frequently just "leg pain."

Unless the referring physician provides a detailed indication, an incorrect study can be performed, which doesn't help plan superficial vein treatment. This means more appointments for you and a delay in getting the right care.

Why Detailed Anatomic Information is Critical for Your Treatment

Even when a correct study is performed, many reports only include basic information like vein size and reflux time.Crucial details like the depth of the vein and the tortuosity of varicose veins are often not reported.

This information is vital for creating an effective treatment plan. That's why, as the performing physician, I need to review the live ultrasound images to determine the most appropriate course of action. It's for this very reason that we repeat the ultrasound examination in our clinic even if patients had a recent study elsewhere. We want to ensure we have all the precise anatomical details needed to optimize your treatment.

Transparency and Trust Through Live Imaging

One of the greatest benefits of performing ultrasounds in-house is the opportunity for transparency. I show our patients the live ultrasound images of their superficial veins. This hands-on education empowers you-our smart patients, to understand your condition better. It makes the treatment process incredibly clear and helps build trust.

You might be surprised to learn that by the time they finish treatment, many of our patients are quite adept at interpreting their venous ultrasound exams! We believe that seeing your veins firsthand fosters understanding and confidence, bringing you peace of mind.