[Digital subtraction angiography in lower extremity phlebography].

DSA was applied to the lower extremity phlebography on 21 cases (36 legs). The patient lay in the supine position and a tourniquet was placed around the ankle. Forty ml of contrast medium, diluted to 25% of the original concentration with normal saline, was injected into the dorsal vein of the foot. The anterior tibial vein, posterior tibial vein, peroneal vein and muscular vein of the calf were identified in 24 (63.2%), 36 (94.7%), 37 (97.4%) and 7 legs (18.4%), respectively. The poor opacification of the anterior tibial vein was attributed partly to the compression effect of the tourniquet. The abnormal findings were deep vein thrombosis (5 legs), reflux from the deep to the superficial vein (14 legs) and irregularity of the venous wall (16 legs). The superficial varicose veins were not demonstrated in DSA phlebography. The examination was comfortable because the patient position was supine and the dilute contrast medium caused no burning sensation. We believe that DSA phlebography is a safe and useful method for diagnosing the deep venous system disorders.