Role of MRI in investigating the effects of elastic compression stockings on the deformation of the superficial and deep veins in the lower leg

Purpose To evaluate the potential of MRI to investigate the mechanical effects of compression stockings on the veins of the lower limb. Materials and Methods The right calves of eight healthy volunteers were imaged in the prone position, with and without the presence of a compression stocking. Cross...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of magnetic resonance imaging 2007-07, Vol.26 (1), p.80-85
Main Authors: Downie, Steven P., Firmin, David N., Wood, Nigel B., Thom, Simon A., Hughes, Alun D., Wolfe, John N.H., Xu, X. Yun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Bandages
biomechanical engineering
deep veins
deep-vein thrombosis
elastic compression stocking
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Leg - blood supply
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Male
Prone Position
Reproducibility of Results
superficial veins
Venous Thrombosis - therapy
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Summary:Purpose To evaluate the potential of MRI to investigate the mechanical effects of compression stockings on the veins of the lower limb. Materials and Methods The right calves of eight healthy volunteers were imaged in the prone position, with and without the presence of a compression stocking. Cross‐sectional areas of all peroneal and posterior tibial veins, both saphenous veins, and any sufficiently large superficial veins were segmented in all subjects at mid‐calf level in both cases. Variation in cross‐sectional area along the axis of the great saphenous vein and a peroneal vein was also examined in three subjects. Results The mean cross‐sectional area reduction was found to be greater in the deep veins (64%) than in the superficial veins (39%). Deep‐vein cross‐sections were generally elliptical, while superficial veins were approximately circular. Significant axial fluctuations were found in the cross‐sectional areas. Conclusion MRI offers a precise source of data on the mechanical effects of lower‐limb compression. Ultrasound (US) may be more cost‐effective, but the data acquired are less comprehensive. Future biomechanical studies of lower‐limb compression should make use of MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:80–85. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:1053-1807
1522-2586
DOI:10.1002/jmri.20980