Scoring of extensive deep leg vein thrombosis displayed as wide-spread non-filling of contrast on phlebography. A comparison with colour doppler ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether wide-spread non-filling of contrast in vein segments, displayed on phlebography, is interpreted as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and if the same score value is obtained.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients were analysed by both phlebography and CDU with a scoring system.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-one venous segments were initially analysed, but 19 (12.6%) were excluded because their entire extent could not be interpreted by CDU. The total score was 366 (mean 18.3) according to the phlebograms and 298 (mean 14.9) when interpreted by CDU, p=0.0001. The difference was due mainly to the scoring of the anterior tibial vein found to be open on CDU in most cases, and then the thrombotic burden percentage was 84% and 75%, respectively. In 19 of the 20 patients (95%) a DVT was confirmed by CDU. The great saphenous vein, the femoropopliteal vein, and the deep femoral vein, formed the main collateral circulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Wide-spread non-filling of vein segments is due to an extensive DVT in the vast majority of cases. Scoring is possible by both phlebography and CDU and the difference in the results of the scoring is generally of minor importance.
Björgell
O
O
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
Nilsson
P E
PE
Jarenros
H
H
Nylander
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*