Ultrasoud Study Of The Gastrocnemius Vein: The Normal Measurement And Clinical Implication

Objeceive To study the ultrasonic appearances and measure the diameter of gastrocnemius veins with ultrasonography(US) in oder to establish the nomal reference ranges.Methods US examinations were performed in 366 lower limbs from 184 cases, focusing on the ultrasonic appearance, courses and anatomic relationship of the gastrocnemius veins. The diameter of the medial gastrocnemius veins and the lateral gastrocnemius veins was measured. Statistical analysis was carried out to address the correlation between the ultrasonic measurements and other varisbles like sex and age.Results US can depicted the gastrocnemius veins clearly. The gastrocnemius veins were run in the gastrocnemius, with the thin wall and anechoic inside, The wall of which could be squashed by probe. From the 732 gastrocnemius veins,720(98.4 %) drained into the popliteal vein ,3(0.4%) drained into the posterior tibial vein and 39.3% of the veins showed the branch , 17.5% showed the valve. The daimeter of the medial gastrocnemius veins was not greater than 3.88mm, while lateral gastrocnemius veins was not greater than 3.28mm ,and when the daimeter of the gastrocnemius veins greater than 4mm, may consider to diagnosis as voricose. The difference between medial gastrocnemius veins and lateral gastrocnemius veins was statistical significant. The daimeter of the veins had relationship with the age ,but there was no obvious relationship between the sex.Conclusions US depicts the post, courses, configuiation and anatomical relationship of the gastrocnemius veins clearly.The daimeter of gastrocnemius veins can be measurement by ultrasound,and when which was greater than 4mm, may consider to diagnosis as voricose. The medial gastrocnemius vein is the predilection sites of vein disease, but the examination of the lateral gastrocnemius veins can not be ignore. The diameter of gastrocnemius vein.increases with age.