Summary
In routine phlebological practice CVI is often diagnosed by inspection of the skin
changes that typically accompany the various stages. This is then confirmed and specified
by further diagnostic instrumentation before deciding on case management. The clinical
appearance plays a significant role, particularly in view of the two most common staging
schemes for CVI (acc. to Widmer, and the CEAP classification). This article gives
an overview of the characteristic skin changes seen in the different stages of CVI,
and is intended to train the clinician’s eye for diagnosing CVI.
Keywords
Varicosis - chronic venous insufficiency - CVI - skin changes - venous ulcer
