Assessment of Lower Limb Arteries by Doppler Sonography in Diabetic Patients

Background: Peripheral vascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially affecting the elderly population. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the incidence of small arteriolar occlusive disease is common with more peripheral arteries being more commonly affected. The main non-invasive test now used commonly to assess the location of disease is duplex sonography. In practice the advent of duplex sonography has reduced the need for arteriography in the management of patients requiring an interventional procedure. Aim: To reflect the value of duplex sonography in evaluating patients with suspected peripheral vascular arterial disease in lower limb vessels. Materials and Methods: Sixty known diabetic patients with clinical suspicion of peripheral vascular disease were evaluated using SDU 1200, Diagnostic Ultrasound System from SHIMDZU with a 5-10 MHz linear array transducer. Using various transducer positions lower limb arteries were assessed for presence of plaques, luminal narrowing, intima media thickness and flow disturbances. Results: Sixty patients including both sexes were evaluated and all showed some degree of atherosclerotic disease. Dorsalis pedis artery most commonly showed luminal narrowing (in 36 % on right side & in 41% on left side) followed by anterior & posterior tibial arteries. Femoral artery was the most common artery involved by atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusion: Duplex sonography provides an effective non-invasive investigation for assessment of peripheral vascular system for presence of atherosclerotic disease