Venography (also called phlebography or ascending phlebography) is a procedure in which an

x-ray An X-ray, or, much less commonly, X-radiation, is a penetrating form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 picometers to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30&nb ...

of the

vein Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated b ...

s, a venogram, is taken after a special dye is injected into the

bone marrow Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue found within the spongy (also known as cancellous) portions of bones. In birds and mammals, bone marrow is the primary site of new blood cell production (or haematopoiesis). It is composed of hematopoietic ce ...

or veins. The dye has to be injected constantly via a catheter, making it an invasive procedure. Normally the catheter is inserted by the groin and moved to the appropriate site by navigating through the vascular system. Contrast venography is the

gold standard A gold standard is a monetary system in which the standard economic unit of account is based on a fixed quantity of gold. The gold standard was the basis for the international monetary system from the 1870s to the early 1920s, and from the la ...

for judging diagnostic imaging methods for

deep venous thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thrombosis involving the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A minority of DVTs occur in the arms. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enla ...

; although, because of its cost, invasiveness, and other limitations this test is rarely performed. Venography can also be used to distinguish blood clots from obstructions in the veins, to evaluate congenital vein problems, to see how the deep leg

vein valve Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated b ...

s are working, or to identify a vein for arterial bypass grafting. Areas of the venous system that can be investigated include the lower extremities, the

inferior vena cava The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of the ...

, and the upper extremities. The United States National Institute of Health says the following about varicose veins, "they cause concern and distress on a large scale, most of which can be dealt with by good explanation and reassurance, or by a variety of treatments which are evolving rapidly at present."

Peripheral venography

Upper limb

Upper limb venography is indicated in those who has upper limb oedema, to demonstrate site of occlusion and stenosis in the veins, and superior vena cava obstruction. Low osmolar contrast medium with concentration of 300 mg/ml is used. The subject lies down in supine position. An 18G butterfly needle is inserted into the

median cubital vein In human anatomy, the median cubital vein (or median basilic vein) is a superficial vein of the upper limb. It lies in the cubital fossa superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis. It connects the cephalic vein and the basilic vein. It becomes promi ...

Cephalic vein In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm. It originates from the radial end of the dorsal venous network of hand, and ascends along the radial (lateral) side of the arm before emptying into the axillary vein. At the ...

is not used because it bypasses the

axillary vein In human anatomy, the axillary vein is a large blood vessel that conveys blood from the lateral aspect of the thorax, axilla (armpit) and upper limb toward the heart. There is one axillary vein on each side of the body. Structure Its origin i ...

. Then, 30 ml of the contrast is injected through the butterfly needle and spot images are taken. Alternatively,

digital subtraction angiography Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a fluoroscopy technique used in interventional radiology to clearly visualize blood vessels in a bony or dense soft tissue environment. Images are produced using contrast medium by subtracting a "pre-contra ...

can be used at a fram rate of 1 frame per second.

Lower limb

Lower limb venography is indicated in

deep vein thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thrombosis involving the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A minority of DVTs occur in the arms. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enla ...

, oedema with unknown cause, and congenital abnormality of the venous system. Less frequently it is used to demonstrate the incompetent valves of perforating veins. Doppler ultrasound is preferable rather than venography to access the competence of the veins. Local

sepsis Sepsis, formerly known as septicemia (septicaemia in British English) or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. This initial stage is follo ...

of the lower limbs is contraindicated for this procedure. Low osmolar contrast agent with concentration of 240 mg/ml is preferable in this study. Before the procedure, oedematous leg, if any, should be elevated overnight to reduce the oedema. The subject is tilted 40 degrees with head higher than the legs, in order to delay the flow of contrast medium from the foot to the thigh. Tourniquet is applied over the ankle to occlude the

superficial vein Superficial veins are veins that are close to the surface of the body, as opposed to deep veins, which are far from the surface. Superficial veins are not paired with an artery, unlike the deep veins, which are typically associated with an arte ...

s of the leg.

Anterior tibial vein The anterior tibial vein is a vein in the lower leg. In human anatomy, there are two anterior tibial veins. They originate and receive blood from the dorsal venous arch, on the back of the foot and empties into the popliteal vein. The anterior ti ...

is also occluded. 19G butterfly needle is inserted into dorsum of foot at a distance from the ankle. 40 ml of contrast medium is injected by hand. Spot films are then taken. Then, another 20 ml of contrast medium is injected.

Valsalva maneuver The Valsalva maneuver is performed by a forceful attempt of exhalation against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth and pinching one's nose shut while expelling air out as if blowing up a balloon. Variations of the maneuver can ...

is performed to delay the flow of contrast medium into the thigh. Then, the subject is tilted in head down position and Valsalva maneuver is relaxed for contrast medium to flow into the pelvis. Alternatively,

femoral vein In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor hiatus (an opening in the adductor magnus muscle) as the continuation of the popliteal vein. It ends at th ...

can be pressed during the tilting and released after tilting is completed to achieve the same effect. At the end of the procedure, the needle is flushed with normal saline to reduce the chances of getting

phlebitis Phlebitis (or Venitis) is inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs. It most commonly occurs in superficial veins. Phlebitis often occurs in conjunction with thrombosis and is then called thrombophlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis. Unlike ...

due to administration of contrast medium.

References

External links

Baylor College of Medicine Venogram procedure page, retrieved November 4, 2006

WebMD Venogram procedure page, retrieved November 4, 2006
{{Medical imaging Projectional radiography

Peripheral venography

Upper limb

Lower limb

See also

References

External links