Three-dimensional laser scanner as a new tool for measuring lower limb volume in patients with chronic venous diseases

Abstract

Objective

Measurement of lower limb volume in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) is necessary for assessing severity at the time of diagnosis and evaluating response to therapy administered. Existing methods have some limitations in clinical application and accuracy. The study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a three-dimensional laser scanner (3DLS) in measuring the lower limb volume of patients with CVD.

Method

A total of 30 patients with CVD (mean age, 55.6±8.07 years, mean body mass index, 24.61±1.87) were recruited in a vascular surgery clinic. The lower limb volumes of all participants were measured using 3DLS and circumferential method (CM). Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the 3DLS and CM.

Results

There was a strong correlation between the CM and 3DLS method (r²=0.9065). The 3DLS had a high intra- and inter-operator reliability. The Bland–Altman plot showed satisfactory agreement between the two methods. The 3DLS demonstrated greater bilateral limb differences than CM.

Conclusions

There was a satisfactory agreement between the two investigated methods. The 3DLS method was confirmed to be accurate, repeatable, and rapid in measuring the lower limb volume in patients with CVD, and was therefore suitable for clinical environments.