Lower extremity venography is a test used to see the veins in the leg.
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can go through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray.
Veins are not normally seen in an x-ray, so a special dye (called contrast) is used to highlight them.
Alternative NamesPhlebogram - leg; Venography - leg
How the test is performedThis test is done in a hospital. You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table. Local anesthetic is used, and you may ask for a sedative if you are anxious about the test.
The healthcare provider places a needle into a vein in the foot of the leg being looked at, so that an intravenous (IV) line can be inserted. The contrast dye flows through this line into the vein. A tourniquet may be placed on your leg so the dye flows into the deeper veins.
X-rays are taken as the dye flows through the leg.
The catheter is then withdrawn, and the puncture site is bandaged.
How to prepare for the testYou will wear hospital clothing during this procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the procedure. Remove all jewelry from the area being imaged.
Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant, if you have Allergies to any medication, which medications you are taking (including any herbal preparations), and if you have ever had any allergic reactionsto x-ray contrast material or iodine substance.
How the test will feelThe x-ray table is hard and cold, so you may want to ask for a blanket or pillow. You will feel a sharp poke when the intravenous catheter is inserted. As the dye is injected, you may experience a burning sensation.
There may be tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to identify and locate blood clots in the veins of the legs.
Normal ValuesFree flow of the blood through the vein is normal.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be due to a blockage caused by blood clots, tumors, or inflammation.
What the risks areThere is low radiation exposure; however, most experts feel that the risk of most x-rays is smaller than other risks we take every day. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray.
Special considerationsUltrasound is used more often than this test because it has fewer risks and side effects. MRI and CT scans may also be used to look at the veins in the leg.
ReferencesGinsberg J. Peripheral venous disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 81.
Lower extremity venography is a test used to see the veins in the leg.
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can go through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray.
Veins are not normally seen in an x-ray, so a special dye (called contrast) is used to highlight them.
Alternative NamesPhlebogram - leg; Venography - leg
How the test is performedThis test is done in a hospital. You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table. Local anesthetic is used, and you may ask for a sedative if you are anxious about the test.
The healthcare provider places a needle into a vein in the foot of the leg being looked at, so that an intravenous (IV) line can be inserted. The contrast dye flows through this line into the vein. A tourniquet may be placed on your leg so the dye flows into the deeper veins.
X-rays are taken as the dye flows through the leg.
The catheter is then withdrawn, and the puncture site is bandaged.
How to prepare for the testYou will wear hospital clothing during this procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the procedure. Remove all jewelry from the area being imaged.
Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant, if you have allergies to any medication, which medications you are taking (including any herbal preparations), and if you have ever had any allergic reactionsto x-ray contrast material or iodine substance.
How the test will feelThe x-ray table is hard and cold, so you may want to ask for a blanket or pillow. You will feel a sharp poke when the intravenous catheter is inserted. As the dye is injected, you may experience a burning sensation.
There may be tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to identify and locate blood clots in the veins of the legs.
Normal ValuesFree flow of the blood through the vein is normal.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be due to a blockage caused by blood clots, tumors, or inflammation.
What the risks areThere is low radiation exposure; however, most experts feel that the risk of most x-rays is smaller than other risks we take every day. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray.
Special considerationsUltrasound is used more often than this test because it has fewer risks and side effects. MRI and CT scans may also be used to look at the veins in the leg.
ReferencesGinsberg J. Peripheral venous disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 81.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/13/2010
Benjamin Taragin MD, Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
venograms
75820
vomer vein venereal VDRL venogram
Deep venous thrombosis requires specialized diagnostic procedures to detect the blood clot. Among the exams a physician may use are ultrasound and x ray, coupled with dye injection (venogram).
His right leg was the stiff leg
Hind leg, flank, back leg, or rear leg.
When horseback riding, your inside leg is the leg facing the inside of the arena. Therefore, your outside leg is the leg facing the outside of the arena.
leg On the bottom leg
The outside leg is the leg "on the fence" when going around the ring. So, if the horse is traveling clockwise (to the right) around the ring, the rider's outside leg would be the left leg and her inside leg would be the right leg.
If you are standing on one leg (with the other leg off the ground), that leg is called your supporting leg because it is supporting you.
your leg
The hypothesis of a broken leg is that you fractured your leg.