Overview

Varicose veins are a common problem affecting approximately 40% of women and 25% of men. For many they are far more than a cosmetic issue. They may actually be the symptom of a serious medical condition known as venous reflux disease. Aside from their unsightly appearance, varicose veins can cause swelling in the legs and feet, sensations of pain, heaviness, burning or tenderness.

Left untreated varicose veins may cause inflammation, blood clots, skin ulcers and sores, even bleeding in some patients. Treatment of varicose veins is generally covered by insurance when a patient is suffering symptoms and the diagnosis of venous reflux disease is confirmed by ultrasound examination.

Varicose Veins Defined

Healthy veins provide the very important function of returning the blood pumped through our arteries to our extremities back to the heart to be recirculated. Small one-way valves within the leg veins open to allow blood to flow up to the heart and close to keep it from flowing backward. When these veins malfunction, venous reflux results. Put simply, the blood that should be flowing upward instead flows backward and pools in the lower veins causing them to enlarge or become varicose. The vast majority of the time this problem occurs in the greater saphenous vein.


EPIC's Role

Ultrasound technology is the primary method of confirming the presence of venous reflux disease as well as assessing the overall health of a patient's deep vein structures. As board certified radiologists, our highly skilled physicians are expertly trained in working with and interpreting the subtleties of ultrasound technology.

The treatment performed at EPIC utilizes a state-of-the-art procedure known as ultrasound guided endovenous laser ablation. It is performed at our West side facility by Dr. Maureen Filipek. The entire procedure is done on an outpatient basis in about one hour and no general anesthesia is required. Unlike superficial approaches, endovenous laser ablation treats the root cause of the problem providing an over 95% success rate with most symptoms resolving within 3 to 6 months.

The procedure begins with a detailed ultrasound guided mapping of the greater saphenous vein. A tiny incision is made and the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Dr. Filipek guides the laser up the greater saphenous vein using ultrasound. The laser is discharged as it is slowly extracted causing the vein to seal down on itself.

The body will naturally redirect blood flow to other healthy veins and normal activity may be resumed within 24 hours.

For more information or to schedule a screening to determine if your varicose veins are caused by venous reflux disease, please call EPIC Imaging | West at 503-643-7226 or email veins@epicimaging.com.