Ultrasound Windows to Abdominal and Pelvic Veins

Abstract
While ultrasound examination of leg veins has been largely accepted, assessment of the pelvic and lower abdominal veins has been largely ignored. The problem here is that the pelvic region contains important veins, which require assessment for deep vein thrombosis and pelvic and vulval varices, but these are superimposed by abdominal viscera. The need to assess the veins of the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity prompted us to develop a reproduceable technique of ‘windowing’ into the abdomen and pelvis to view certain veins. To view a certain vein, a nominated angle of approach from a particular anatomical point with the patient in a specific position will under most circumstances provide a sonic ‘window’ to that vein. There are eight of these such windows that can, in competent hands, be used to assess a variety of pelvic and lower abdominal veins.