Let's learn about the scan that looks for blood clots in the arms and legs (Venous Extremity Ultrasound)?

Sometimes, if your arm or leg suddenly becomes swollen, painful, and possibly red, your doctor may order a scan to find out what's causing it. This type of scan is usually ordered if there is a suspicion of a blood clot in a blood vessel. So let's talk about it in simple terms today. Don't be alarmed when you hear this, it's a very simple, painless test.

First of all, what is an ultrasound scan?

Simply put, ultrasound is a method of looking at the organs inside our bodies using high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to our ears. Just like bats use sound waves to find their way around at night.

These sound waves are sent into the body, and the echoes that return are converted into images by a computer. These images allow us to see the condition of the tissues, organs, and blood vessels inside our bodies.

So what is a venous ultrasound done on the arms and legs?

This directly checks to see if there is a blockage, such as a blood clot , in the veins in your arms or legs . This condition is also called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Depending on where your symptoms are, this scan may be done on just one arm or leg, or on both arms or legs.

At what point does a doctor order this scan?

• Sudden swelling of an arm or leg.
• Feeling pain or stiffness at the swollen area.
• Skin redness or feeling warm.
• Sometimes superficial blood vessels appear to be bulging.

If there are symptoms like these, this scan is very important to know exactly whether the cause is a blood clot or not.

How should I prepare before this scan?

This is a problem that many people have. Some types of ultrasound scans require some preparation. For example, you may be asked to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours before a scan of the abdomen (belly).

Easy to understand, let's look at this.

However, when you are given an appointment for the test, if there are any special instructions for it, the hospital or scanning facility will inform you of this.

What happens during the scan?

This test is performed by a specially trained technologist . Your scan report is then reviewed by a specialist radiologist who gives the final conclusion.

You can expect something like this during the test:

1. Reclining on a bed: You will be made to recline on a comfortable bed.

2. Applying a gel: Next, a warm, water-based gel is applied to the skin of the arm or leg to be scanned. This helps the sound waves travel through the body and out of the body without any obstruction. This gel is non-irritating to the skin, and can be easily washed off if it gets on clothing.

3. Using the Probe: Next, the technician slowly moves a small, hand-held device called a probe (transducer) over the gel-coated skin. This probe sends sound waves into the body and picks up the waves that return.

4. Light pressure: Check the blood vessels clearly, in some places you may need to press a little with the probe or squeeze the area with your hand. This can help you see if a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot or if it is healing well. You may feel a little pressure at this point, but it should not be painful. Don't worry about it.

This entire test can usually take 60 minutes, which is about an hour .

What happens after the scan?

Once the test is complete, a specialist will review your scans and prepare a report. This report is usually available within 24 hours on business days.

Once you receive your report, it is essential that you meet with your doctor who referred you for this test to discuss it. He or she will decide what further treatment you need based on the scan results.

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