The cutoff value for the diameter of the saphenous vein in predicting the presence of venous insufficiency

Abstract

Aim: In this study aimed to investigate the relationship between saphenous vein diameters and reflux and to present their sensitivity and specificity values in predicting venous insufficiency (VI). Material and Methods: This study included 162 symptomatic patients admitted to our radiology clinic with complaints of VI in 317 of their lower extremities (LEs) and 67 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with their 134 LEs having no varicose veins. A total of 451 LEs were evaluated for VI with Doppler ultrasonography (US) in the standing position. Results: The saphenous vein diameters were higher at a statistically significant level in the symptomatic patient group than in the asymptomatic healthy volunteers (p<0.001). They were also higher at a statistically significant level in the LEs with clinically significant reflux (p<0.001). A cutoff value of a 5.35 mm diameter for insufficiency in great saphenous vein (GSV) led to 80.20% sensitivity and 79.20% specificity; a 4.85 mm diameter for insufficiency in small saphenous vein (SSV) led to 82.10% sensitivity and 83.60% specificity. Conclusions: A GSV diameter of ≥ 5.35 mm and a SSV diameter of ≥ 4.85 mm are the best cutoff values, which could be used as an additional parameter, for predicting VI with high sensitivity and specificity.