A Simple Doppler Technique for the Rapid Diagnosis of Significant Sapheno-Femoral Reflux

The clinical diagnosis or sapheno-femoral incompetence is frequently inaccurate. Using a simple Doppler technique described below 94% of 155 limbs in 107 patients were correctly diagnosed. In the same group of patients the cough impulse test gave an accurate positive result in only 79%, while in the first 100 limbs of the series tourniquet and tap tests were even less reliable. Since the Doppler technique is readily applicable to large numbers of patients it is concluded that it will be of use in distinguishing those in whom surgery is required from others in whom compression sclerotherapy will be effective.