title: Duplex ultrasound diagnosis of symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs.
abstract: Real time ultrasound (US) was used to examine 165 consecutive inpatients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs. In order to evaluate accuracy, the results of non-invasive techniques were compared with ascending venography, performed in all patients. Assessment included only femoro-popliteal veins, because of difficulty in visualizing calf vein with US. Diagnosis of thrombosis was based on noncompressibility of the examined veins; pulsed Doppler provided further information by evaluating blood flow. In our series Duplex ultrasound was very accurate in detecting acute thrombosis of the proximal veins, sensitivity being 97% and specificity 98%. With US it is also possible to detect conditions that mimic deep vein thrombosis, such as muscular rupture, hematoma, popliteal cyst or compressive tumors. In conclusion US is considered a valid alternative to contrast venography in the diagnosis of proximal vein thrombosis of lower limbs.
authors.affiliation: Divisione Medica e Centro per le Malattie Emostatiche, Ospedale Regionale, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quintavalla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Larini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miselli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandrioli
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ugolotti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pattacini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography