Ultrasound – The Key to Imaging for Varicose Veins
A patient suffering from varicose veins should be aware of the importance of ultrasound for both diagnosis and treatment. Well performed and interpreted ultrasound is crucial to obtaining a correct diagnosis, which ultimately helps to establish an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.
Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are caused by abnormal veins below the skin surface that are not visible to the naked eye. It is widely accepted that diagnostic ultrasound is the best way to discover the root of the problem. Ultrasound is ideal as it can accurately determine the size and location of the problematic veins, and can also assess the direction of blood flow in them (which is very important to understanding which veins are normal and which are abnormal). In addition, ultrasound is fast, painless, and inexpensive. Finally, there is really no risk associated with ultrasound, as it utilizes no radiation.
Who should perform my diagnostic venous ultrasound?
Diagnostic ultrasound is extremely complicated. It takes years of training and experience to be really good at performing and interpreting it. In addition, the human venous system has many variations and unique conditions which are often hard to understand or interpret. Whomever performs your ultrasound should not only be experienced in ultrasound, but also have a thorough understanding of the wide range of normal and abnormal appearances of veins. It would be even more advantageous to you if the person performing your ultrasound is thoroughly knowledgeable about the various treatment options which are used in different situations.
In the community there is a wide range of training, knowledge, and experience amongst those who perform venous ultrasound. Depending upon the practice, your study might be performed and/or supervised by any of a number of different individuals – an inexperienced technologist, a more experienced technologist, an MD with minimal ultrasound training, or if you’re fortunate, an MD with a vast amount of ultrasound training and experience. Why is this important? Sometimes there is more than one problem. Sometimes the diagnosis is complicated. If the sonographer does not obtain accurate or incomplete information, you may be under-treated or over-treated by your physician. So it is critical that your study is performed and interpreted by an expert, to get the best results possible.
One other note – If you have your ultrasound performed on-site where your physician is, and if they have the ability, your physician should be able to show you the abnormality while scanning you. The two of you can then discuss treatment options and come to a solution that is best for your particular needs. At Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center, Dr. Rayman typically shows you the abnormality on ultrasound and explains the findings – in turn, he is able to simultaneously discuss the various treatment options with you, understand your goals and motivations, and help you to arrive at a plan that is best suited for you.
Ultrasound During Treatment of Varicose Veins
Once a diagnosis is established and your physician knows where the problems exist a personalized treatment plan is formulated. The abnormal veins might then be treated by using either RFA, EVLT (laser treatment), VenaSeal, ClariVein or ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. All of these procedures require the use of ultrasound guidance in order to pinpoint the correct area needing treatment, and to guide whichever device is used during treatment. Obviously if the physician who is performing the procedure is skilled in ultrasound, you are more likely to have a safer, faster and more comfortable procedure, with better results. Once again, at Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center it is Dr. Rayman who is doing the scanning during your procedure, so you can be sure that the abnormality will be easily found and treated – safely and comfortably.
Ultrasound Follow-up After Treatment of Varicose Veins
Once the procedure is done it is very important to have periodic follow-up ultrasounds. The reason for this is to identify any possible complications, as well as to assure that treatment is complete. Even though you may feel great after the procedure, sometimes there are areas that need a touch-up treatment, and the sooner this is caught, the faster and easier it is to address the problem.
Sometimes patients come to Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center after having had suboptimal or incomplete treatment for varicose or spider veins at another facility. These patients often have an underlying problem on ultrasound that was not previously identified. Once the problem is found, effective treatment can be provided.
At Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center all ultrasounds – both for initial diagnosis and follow-up, are performed on-site. This ensures an accurate diagnosis and ultimately the best treatment for our patients.
If you think you have an underlying venous problem, contact Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center or call at (310) 986-6500 today. We’ll be happy to schedule an ultrasound and try to get to the root of your problem.
Amazing job
by Fred Herdt
Category: vein treatmentsOk so I know I left a review before, but I’m at the gym working out right now and I see my legs in the mirror, particularly the right leg, and all I can say is DAMN, MY LEG LOOKS SO GREAT! And all that vascular pain from standing and working behind a salon chair is GONE!!! Thank you again Dr. Raymond and everyone at Beach Cities Vein and Vascular Center! I’m so happy with everything you did and it was worth every penny. To me, you did the impossible, and I’m so not kidding. I had been to two other vein “specialists” over the last 15 years they didn’t even come close to what Dr. Raymond could do. So again thank you!
Fantastic
by Anna
Category: vein treatmentsMy experience with Beach Cities Vein & Láser center was Outstanding. I got the results I wanted with my varicoise veins treatment. Dr. Rayman and Marisa were both professional, excellent , and caring . The office staff was always helpful and courteous. I would highly recommend Beach Cities Vein & Láser Center .
Look No Further than Doctor Rayman!
by Amber
Category: vein treatmentsAt age 29, I had a growing varicose vein on my ankle that made me feel so insecure and like everyone was looking at my “monster vein” (lol). I was about to turn 30 in a few months so I started looking up places to help me get rid of my unsightly vein. When I found this site online I immediately made an appointment. I was excited, but also very nervous as I have never had any sort of medical procedure before. However, once i got to the office everyone is SO kind and quick to answer any questions, I felt like I really made the right choice with Dr. Rayman. Marlene was with me through a lot of my appointments, doing my ultrasounds and pictures-she does a great job and is so sweet! Dr. Rayman is one of the nicest doctors I have met. He immediately made me feel comfortable not only due to his extensive knowledge but also due to the fact that he really cared about me, my issue and how to fix it. We went with the Endovenous Laser Treatment to treat the core problem of my “monster vein”. The procedure itself was relatively quick and definitely painless as my leg was completely numb! For me, as someone who gets grossed out easily, it was a mental game of not thinking too much about the procedure as it was happening lol! My mom was allowed to be in the room with me, I got to pick my favorite music, and honestly we all chatted the whole time. I went back for my second procedure, which was the injections into my soon-to-be-gone monster vein. This was also pretty painless for me besides some mild burning sensations initially after the injections. I wore the compression socks as directed and personally had no trouble with them. I had a little bit of a numb sensation where we did the EVLT, but that faded with time and I feel totally normal again. I just went back for 6 month check up appointment, and my monster vein is gone!!! I’m so incredibly happy with the results. Dr. Rayman and his team are so good at what they do, so kind, and SO WORTH IT. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Excellent Experience!
by Katherine O'Connor
Category: vein treatmentsI had a wonderful experience at Beach Cities Vein & Laser Center. Everyone has a smile on their face and makes you feel welcome. I am so happy with the results. I highly recommend Dr. Rayman and his excellent team! Thank you for taking such great care of me!
Dr. Rayman, thank you for doing what you do!!!!
by Grace S.
Category: vein treatmentsYOUR SEARCH IS OVER! This review will be helpful to those who have delayed doing something about their varicose veins because of fear. If you are scared of needles, traumatized from past surgical procedures, and burdened by years of daily reminders of having painful, bothersome, and tired legs due to varicose veins, you do not need to worry anymore, nor do you need to suffer any longer from the physical and emotional pains that come with varicose veins thanks to Dr. Rayman and his exceptional medical practice. A bit of background: I had surgery 8 years ago by a surgeon to address varicose veins in my right leg -- a "real" surgery in a hospital operating room, with full general anesthesia. Not only were the surgery and its after effects painful and long lasting (including nerve damage), even more varicose veins started popping up about a couple years later. Due to that bad experience, I decided I would NEVER do anything about my varicose veins again, and that I was destined to live with the pain, discomfort, and ugliness. Fast forward 8 years, and the discomfort/pain, heaviness/throbbing, etc. were really getting to be a daily issue. Even people were coming up to me asking if my legs were hurting, because they looked like they felt! So I decided to do my due diligence and started to do a lot of research online (medical conditions, procedures, and various doctors). Thanks to Yelp, I found Dr. Rayman!! Being a bit gun shy, I called his office twice with tons of questions, and then proceeded to see him for TWO consultations (with my notepad full of questions). Each time, and with every interaction I had with him and his staff , I felt more and more at ease. Dr. Rayman showed me with the ultrasound exactly what my veins were doing and not doing. (And low and behold, the vein that was supposedly tied off 8 years ago was still there, bad as ever.) He and each one of his staff received me and my zillion questions with such respect, patience, compassion, and professionalism. Three weeks after my consultations, I had my radiofrequency ablation (RFA) done! Dr. Rayman and his staff are great, but I think they are able to show their personal best when actually performing the procedure -- during the procedure, there was wonderful bedside manner, nice music playing, excellent communication between doctor and patient and assistants, and obvious skill and confidence. Being embarrassingly afraid of needles, I must say it was really fine! I wanted to hug him when it was over, he was that great and showed that much care! I also appreciate his practical tips on how to distract myself when he was administering the numbing medication!! And considering it's just 3 days after my procedure and I've already made my appointment for Dr. Rayman to do my left leg (same condition), you've got to know that I'm completely satisfied, comfortable, and grateful. I told him, "Dr. Rayman, thank you for doing what you do!!!!"
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