Observation on changes of lowerª²limb veins in women before and after delivery by twoª²dimensional ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging

    ZHANG Yong, DUAN Yunª²You, YANG Yong, LI Qun, YANG Yiª²Lin

    Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710038, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To observe the changes of the lowerª²limb venous system of women before and after delivery,to explore the causes and incidence of the lowerª²limb venous thrombosis during gestation and puerperium, and to discuss the diagnostic value of twoª²dimensional(2ª²D) ultrasound and color Doppler flow image(CDFI). METHODS: Ninetyª²six pregnant and postpartum women were recruited for the study. Femoral veins, great saphenous veins and small saphenous veins were assessed in both lower limbs using 2ª²D ultrasound and CDFI. The diameters were measured. The spontaneous blood flow echogenicity, venous thrombosis and reflux were observed in each vein. RESULTS: All veins dilated with increasing gestation. The diameters of the great saphenous veins increased significantly (P<0.05). Spontaneous blood flow echogenicity in the femoral veins was clearly visible and marked in 39.1% of cases during the second trimester of pregnancy and 92.5% during the third trimester. The vein thrombosis was formed most easily within 3 months after delivery. CONCLUSION: The increase in lowerª²limb venous pressure during pregnancy leads to venous distention and worsens blood stasis. The examination by ultrasound diagnosis can demonstrate the situation of lowerª²limb veins safely and quickly, and can give more valuable information for clinical prevention and treatment. ......