[Sonographic diagnosis of thrombosis of the calf muscle veins and the risk of pulmonary embolism].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of deep vein thrombosis in the veins of the calf muscles. The risk of embolism in relation to the localisation of thrombosis was also evaluated.


METHODS
357 consecutive patients submitted for colour Doppler sonography of the lower extremities were prospectively examined for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Both axial and muscular calf veins were investigated. 184 of these patients underwent additional investigation for pulmonary embolism.


RESULTS
Diagnosis of DVT was made by means of colour Doppler sonography in 179 patients. Soleal veins (n = 88), peroneal veins (n = 84), the popliteal vein (n = 69), and the superficial femoral vein (n = 53) were the most common sites of thrombosis. Thrombosis of the gastrocnemial veins (n = 49) occurred less frequently. 85 patients (47% of all patients having DVT) showed isolated calf vein thrombosis, in 45 patients (25%) the gastrocnemial and/or soleal veins were the only site of thrombosis. 60% of patients with symptomatic DVT also had pulmonary embolism. The embolic frequency for isolated calf vein thrombosis and muscular calf vein thrombosis was 48% and 50%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The veins of the calf muscles are a common site of acute DVT and a source of pulmonary embolism. They should always be investigated in patients with suspected DVT of the calf, and in patients with pulmonary embolism.
Hollerweger
A
A
Abteilung für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, KH Barmherzige Brüder, Salzburg, Osterreich.
Macheiner
P
P
Rettenbacher
T
T
Gritzmann
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply*; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*