J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2002 Sep;21(3):197-206.

Doppler Sonography of Diabetic Feet: Quantitative Analysis of Blood Flow Volume

• Seo YL
• Kim HC
• Choi CS
• Yoon DY
• Han DH
• Moon JH
• Bae SH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze Doppler sonographic findings of diabetic feet by estimating the quantitative blood flow volume and by analyzing waveform on Doppler.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Doppler sonography was performed in thirty four patients (10 diabetic patients with foot ulceration, 14 diabetic patients without ulceration and 10 normal patients as the normal control group) to measure the flow volume of the arteries of the lower extremities (posterior and anterior tibial arteries, and distal femoral artery). Analysis of Doppler waveforms was also done to evaluate the nature of the changed blood flow volume of diabetic patients, and the waveforms were classified into triphasic, biphasic-1, biphasic-2 and monophasic patterns.
RESULTS
Flow volume of arteries in diabetic patients with foot ulceration was increased with a statistical significance when compared to that of diabetes patients without foot ulceration or that of normal control group (p<0.05). Analysis of Doppler waveform revealed that the frequency of biphasic-2 pattern was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in the normal control group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Doppler sonography in diabetic feet showed increased flow volume and biphasic Doppler waveform, and these findings suggest neuropathy rather than ischemic changes in diabetic feet.

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic Foot*
Foot Ulcer
Humans
Lower Extremity
Tibial Arteries
Ulcer
Ultrasonography