Venous & Arterial Doppler of the Legs in Dadar West, Mumbai

At a Glance

Venous Doppler: clots (DVT) and varicose veins

A Doppler scan is an ultrasound that shows blood moving inside the vessels: the colour shows which way it is flowing, and the Doppler trace measures its speed. A venous Doppler usually answers one of two questions. The first is whether there is a clot in the deep veins of the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). A healthy vein squashes flat when the probe presses gently; a vein filled with clot does not.

The second is why varicose veins have formed. When the one-way valves in the leg veins leak (venous reflux), blood flows back down the leg and the veins near the surface swell and bulge. Before laser or radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy or surgery, the Doppler maps which veins leak and where, so your vascular surgeon can plan treatment.

• DVT in the thigh, behind the knee and in the calf
• A clot in a surface vein (superficial thrombophlebitis), and how close it is to the deep veins
• Leaking valves in the saphenous, perforator and deep veins, and signs of an old clot
• Other causes of a painful, swollen calf, such as a ruptured Baker's cyst, a muscle tear or a collection of fluid or blood

Arterial Doppler: poor circulation in the legs

An arterial Doppler looks for peripheral arterial disease, where fatty deposits narrow or block the arteries of the legs. It becomes more common with age, and with smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and kidney disease. Measuring the flow along the leg shows where a narrowing or blockage is, roughly how severe it is, and how well blood reaches the foot, which matters for wound healing.

Doctors often ask for the arteries and veins to be scanned together: for a leg ulcer, which can have more than one cause, and before prescribing compression stockings, which can harm a leg whose blood supply is significantly reduced.

When doctors ask for a leg Doppler

Not every swollen leg is caused by the veins: heart, kidney or liver conditions, some blood pressure tablets and lymphoedema can also cause swelling. Calf pain that began during sport may need a musculoskeletal ultrasound instead, but a swollen calf after surgery, bed rest or a long journey should be checked for a clot first.

If a DVT is suspected, say so when you call or WhatsApp, and our team will tell you the earliest time we can scan you. A suspected clot should be assessed by a doctor and scanned as soon as possible, ideally the same day. If that is not possible, your doctor may start blood-thinning treatment in the meantime.

Common reasons for the test:

• A swollen, painful or warm calf, especially after surgery, bed rest, a plaster cast or a long journey, in pregnancy or after childbirth, on hormone tablets, or with cancer or its treatment
• Varicose veins that ache, feel heavy or swell by evening, and before any vein treatment
• Darkened or eczema-like skin near the ankle, or an ulcer that is slow to heal
• Cramping pain in the calf, thigh or buttock on walking that eases with rest (claudication)
• Cold feet, foot pain at night or at rest, or a diabetic foot wound that is not healing

How to prepare

Our team confirms the exact preparation for your scan when you book on WhatsApp. For most people it is simple:

• No fasting is needed for a standard leg Doppler. Take your usual medicines, including blood thinners, unless your own doctor advises otherwise. If the arteries in the abdomen (the aorta or iliac arteries) are also to be checked, you may be asked to avoid food for a few hours beforehand to reduce bowel gas.
• Wear loose clothing; you may be asked to change into a gown.
• Bring your prescription, any earlier Doppler reports and details of any vein or artery treatment (laser, surgery, angioplasty or a stent).
• Tell us when you book if standing is difficult (varicose vein mapping is done partly standing) or if you have a wound or dressing on the leg.

What happens during the scan

You lie on the couch while the radiologist moves the probe, with gel, from the groin towards the ankle. For a DVT check the veins are pressed gently at intervals, and you may be asked to turn so the back of the knee and calf can be scanned. The whooshing sound you may hear is the normal Doppler signal of blood flow.

For varicose vein mapping, part of the test is done standing, or sitting with the leg hanging down, because leaking valves show only when the veins are full. The radiologist briefly squeezes your calf or asks you to take a deep breath and bear down, and watches for blood flowing backwards. For an arterial study you lie on your back. After a normal scan you can go straight back to your day, including driving. If a clot is found, follow the treatment advice you are given first.

Safety, contrast and the limits of Doppler

Doppler uses no X-rays, no injection and no dye, so it is safe in pregnancy, with kidney disease and with a pacemaker or metal implants, and it can be repeated whenever your doctor needs it. It does have limits. Marked swelling, body build, dressings and hardened (calcified) arteries can hide parts of the vessels, and the small calf veins and the deep veins in the pelvis are not always fully visible. Your doctor may then suggest a repeat scan or a different test.

If a detailed map of the arteries is needed, for example before angioplasty or bypass surgery, your doctor may suggest CT angiography or MR angiography. CT angiography uses X-rays and an iodine contrast injection, and a recent kidney function (creatinine) report may be requested first. Tell the team about any allergies or previous reaction to contrast, diabetes medicines such as metformin, and any chance you could be pregnant.

Leg Doppler at AV Scan, Dadar West

Leg Doppler at AV Scan is performed and reported by our radiologists, Dr. Avinash Bansal and Dr. Vaishnavi Bansal, both MD (Radiology) and FMF (UK) certified. Dr. Avinash Bansal's areas of expertise include all kinds of Doppler studies. The radiologist does the scan personally, which matters because much of a Doppler assessment happens live on the screen.

• Philips Affiniti 70G and GE Voluson E10 ultrasound systems
• The exact price is confirmed on WhatsApp before your visit. It depends on whether one leg or both legs are scanned, and whether the arteries are included
• Most reports the same day, sent to your WhatsApp
• Cashless with most major insurers and TPAs; empanelled for CGHS, ECHS and MJPJAY (insurers and TPAs)
• Open Monday to Saturday 8am-10pm and Sunday 8am-5pm. Ground floor, step-free, near Shivaji Park and Siddhivinayak Temple (how to find us)
• Book on WhatsApp, call +91 98200 51511 or use our booking page