[Contribution of the Doppler examination to the venous pathology of the lower extremities]

The fluxometer "Doppler" is widely used in venous pathology but is usually limited to a mere "sounding" of the femoral and popliteal segments. The author recommends a full methodology based on venous physiopathology. Some very simple modifications of the apparatus mean that it is possible to get graphic outlines; this makes analysis easier and means that results can be reproduced. At the acute thrombosis stage diagnosis and localization are remarkably reliable. At the chronic stage the anatomic aspect is of less interest than the functional aspects, as the Doppler is of much greater use than phlebography. The advantages of this atraumatic method are obvious if results of the Doppler examination are accurate; its only conditions are a thorough knowledge of the physiopathology and great precision in the analysis.