[Quality criteria of phlebography examination methods. Technically conditioned possibilities of error prediction (author's transl)].

The article describes the technical and anatomical limitations of information supplied by phlebography. Injection of contrast medium into the v. mediana hallucis enables optimal contrast medium distribution. The more proximal the site of injection, the greater the uncertainty of achieving continuous filling of the deep veins with contrast medium. Obstructions during compression (ulcer, oedema) may prove an obstacle to the assessment of insufficient v. perforantes due to overfilling of superficial veins with contrast medium. Even without any abnormal finding it is not possible to stain muscle veins and the v. femoris profunda in about 50% of the examinations. Muscular traction can result in deformation of mainly the v. poplitea and hence results in discontinuous filling with contrast medium if the musculature is not properly relaxed. The veins of the thigh and pelvis must be stained with high contrast in a continuous manner, since otherwise occlusions and collaterals are overlooked in an otherwise normal distal phlebogram. Valve motility can be assessed without additional examination measures directly after ascending phlebography during recumbency of the patient.