Prominent Veins in the Legs With or Without Unilateral Leg Swelling

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Prominent veins in the legs, also known as varicose veins, are dilated and twisted veins that may appear on the skin’s surface. They can be accompanied by unilateral leg swelling, suggesting an underlying venous condition.

These changes can be caused by various factors, including chronic venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Identifying the underlying cause is essential for providing appropriate treatment and preventing complications.

Pathology	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Varicose veins	Visible dilated and tortuous veins, pain, heaviness, nocturnal cramps.	Doppler ultrasound, physical examination.
Thrombophlebitis	Painful and reddened superficial veins, localised swelling, warmth in the affected area.	Doppler ultrasound, venography.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)	Unilateral swelling, deep pain, skin colour changes, warmth sensation.	Doppler ultrasound, CT, blood tests for D-dimer.