Recently developed surgical techniques for the correction of lower extremity venous insufficiency have renewed interest in venous valvular functions. To assess the value of descending venography in the evaluation of venous valvular incompetence, this technique was compared with bidirectional Doppler ultrasound and ascending venography in the examination of 32 patients with clinical signs of chronic venous insufficiency. Twelve of these patients underwent surgery to valvular incompetence, and all underwent descending venography and Doppler ultrasound examinations postoperatively. Descending venography proved to be an effective, accurate method of diagnosing venous valvular incompetence of the saphenofemoral system.

Thirty patients thought to have an atherosclerotic thoracic aneurysm or chronic aortic dissection were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and the findings compared with those from conventional radiography, thoracic aortography, and surgery. In all cases, CT defined the lesion and correlated well with angiography. Staging of atherosclerotic aneurysms was possible, and CT also demonstrated the relationship between true and false lumina in aortic dissections; however, aortography was often necessary to differentiate a dissection from an aneurysm or for staging. The relative value of CT and aortography is discussed.