Study to Find Out the Timing for the Optimal Imaging of Varicose Veins Using Infrared Thermography.

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to identify the optimal time of Infrared imaging of varicose veins when patients move from a lying to a standing position. The primary purpose is to enable us to improve our imaging of varicose veins in patients presenting with primary or recurrent leg varicose veins. The main questions it aims to answer are: Outcome measure 1- How long after standing up from lying supine do leg varicose veins show up best on infrared imaging? Outcome measure 2 - Is there any difference in this timing between varicose veins arising from different sources in the leg? Patients will be asked to stand, and sequential infrared images will be taken every 5 seconds for 3 minutes.

Patients who are having a Duplex ultrasound of their lower-limb veins for the assessment of varicose veins (primary or recurrent) and who have consented to participation in the study will be taken from the scanning room to the research room (within 20 meters). The patient will be asked for their height and weight to enable BMI to be calculated. The patient will then lie down horizontally for 5 minutes on a bed in the research room. At the end of the 5 minutes, an IR image will be taken of the participant's lower limbs to ensure clearance of varicose veins. The patient will then be asked to stand in front of an IR camera on a mat with marked positions for their feet on the floor in a position ensuring maximum surface area coverage of lower-limb varicose veins by the camera. The patient will stand still for a period of 3 minutes whilst the IR camera (HIKMICRO M10) takes a series of JPEG photos every 5 seconds. The position of the camera will be adjusted so that the top of the image is at the level of the hip, and the bottom of the image at the sole of the foot. Hence, the image size will be maximised to include the whole leg. The first image will be taken immediately the patient stands and is in position, minimising any lag and aiming to be within 5 seconds of starting to move from the supine position. After 3 minutes, the patient will be able to sit down and then return to the consultation room.

Conditions