Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of corona phlebectatica.
Design: Clinical and plethysmographic evaluation of corona phlebectatica associated with primary varicose veins.
Setting: Department of Surgery, Aichi Prefectural College of Nursing, Nagoya, Japan.
Main outcome measures: In 411 limbs with greater saphenous incompetence, including 101 with skin changes and 310 without skin changes, clinical analysis and plethysmographic evaluation using the photoplethysmographic technique were carried out.
Results: In 204 of 411 limbs, corona phlebectatica was observed, including 75 coloured red and 129 coloured blue. Blue coronas were observed significantly more often then red coronas in limbs with skin changes. The half refilling time in limbs with skin changes was significantly shorter than that in limbs without skin changes. In limbs without skin changes, limbs with blue coronas showed a significantly shortened half refilling time than those with red coronas.
Conclusions: Blue coronas are a strong indicator of the presence of prolonged venous hypertension in varicose veins.