Common femoral vein wall thickness measurement by Doppler ultrasonography is an accurate diagnostic test for Behçet’s Disease both in supine and standing positions

Abstract

Objectives We recently reported the first controlled Doppler ultrasonography (US) study demonstrating increased common femoral vein (CFV) thickness in Behçet’s Disease (BD). Standard lower extremity venous Doppler US is performed in erect position. In order to confirm accuracy and applicability of method, we measured CFV thickness in both supine and standing positions in this study. Method We included sex and age-matched 42 BD patients and 41 healthy controls (HCs). After routine visits, bilateral CFV thickness was measured with Doppler US both in supine and standing positions. Results Bilateral CFV thickness was significantly higher in BD than in HC. There were no statistically significant differences in measurements of CFV wall thickness between standing and supine positions in both groups. Conclusions CFV measurement by Doppler US is a new and non-invasive diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of BD. Our study confirmed that patient position does not affect CFV wall thickness measurement for diagnosis of BD.