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Colour Doppler ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound of the lower limbs: how it works and when it is requested.
Siena onlyColour Doppler ultrasound is an ultrasound scan that, alongside the image of the vessels, shows the blood flowing inside them: direction, velocity and the presence of any slowing or reflux. It is a non-invasive examination, with no needles and no radiation, and is the reference investigation for studying venous and arterial circulation in the lower limbs.
It is requested when symptoms suggest a circulatory problem — heavy or swollen legs at the end of the day, dilated and visible veins, night cramps, changes in skin colour around the ankles — or when a physician wants to document a situation before planning treatment. It is also the examination that precedes sclerotherapy and verifies its result over time.
The examination is performed with a probe placed on the skin and a contact gel. It generally takes twenty to thirty minutes and requires no particular preparation: some manoeuvres are performed both lying down and standing, because position changes the way blood flows in the veins and some abnormalities only become apparent when upright. At the end the findings are explained together with the report.
At Skinfarm the examination is carried out at the Siena practice, where the centre's phlebologist and sonographer works. Services are provided privately: no GP referral is required to book.
Why part of the examination is done standing
In the veins, blood travels back up towards the heart against gravity, and the valves exist precisely to stop it falling back. Lying down, that downward pull is almost absent, and reflux may not show at all. This is why part of the examination is performed standing, with specific manoeuvres: it is the condition in which the venous system is genuinely tested, and in which insufficiency becomes visible.
How it shows
- Heavy or swollen legs, especially at the end of the day
- Dilated, visible or tortuous veins
- Night cramps and tingling in the lower limbs
- Ankle swelling that leaves a sock mark
- Changes in the colour or quality of the skin around the ankles
- The need to document the venous situation before or after treatment
How we proceed
- 1Clinical history: symptoms, family history, previous surgery or thrombosis
- 2Ultrasound examination lying down, with study of the vessel images
- 3Standing manoeuvres, to make any reflux apparent
- 4Explanation of the findings and delivery of the report
- 5Where indicated, planning of the phlebological pathway or scheduling of follow-up
Available treatments
- Venous colour Doppler
- Arterial colour Doppler
- Phlebological visit
- Sclerotherapy
- Scheduled follow-up
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Frequently asked questions
Is the examination painful or invasive?+
No. A probe is placed on the skin with a contact gel: there are no needles, nothing is administered and no radiation is used. The only sensation is the probe moving and the gel, which is at room temperature. Any activity can be resumed immediately afterwards.
Do I need to prepare in any way?+
Generally no preparation is needed: you can eat and take your usual medication. It helps to wear comfortable clothing that allows the legs to be uncovered easily, and to bring any previous reports or documentation of surgery and past thrombosis: comparison over time is part of the assessment.
Do I need a GP referral?+
No. Services are provided privately and can be booked directly, without a referral. If you already have a request from your doctor or a previous report, it is useful to bring them: they help to focus what is being looked for.
What is the difference between Doppler and colour Doppler ultrasound?+
Doppler detects blood flow and renders it as a signal; colour Doppler combines that information with the ultrasound image of the vessel and displays it in colour, so flow direction and velocity are seen superimposed on the anatomy. It is in practice the evolution of the examination, and is what is routinely performed today.
How long does it take?+
Generally twenty to thirty minutes, depending on how many areas need to be studied and how complex the situation is. That time includes both the examination lying down and the standing manoeuvres, which are the part that reveals any reflux.
Have a question? Let's talk.
Book a first visit: the physician will evaluate your situation and guide you to the most suitable treatment.
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