Prospective study of color duplex ultrasonography compared with contrast venography in patients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremities.
BACKGROUND
The optimal strategy for diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is less well established for the upper extremities than for the lower extremities. Duplex color ultrasonography can be difficult to perform in the upper extremities because of their anatomy, and contrast venography is often indicated. Moreover, limited data exist on the use of duplex color ultrasonography in this setting.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of duplex ultrasonography for diagnosis of DVT of the upper extremities.


METHODS
Prospective study of duplex ultrasonography compared with venography.


METHODS
A teaching hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


METHODS
126 consecutive inpatients and outpatients with suspected DVT of the upper extremities.


METHODS
Contrast venography was obtained after duplex ultrasonography and was judged independently. A three-step protocol, involving compression ultrasonography, color ultrasonography, and color Doppler ultrasonography, was used. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for ultrasonography as a whole were calculated. The independent value of each step was assessed.


RESULTS
Venography and ultrasonography were not feasible in 23 of 126 patients (18%) and 1 of 126 patients (0.8%), respectively. Results of ultrasonography were inconclusive in 3 patients. Venography demonstrated thrombosis in 44 of 99 patients (44%); in 36 patients (36%), thrombosis was related to intravenous catheters or malignant disease. Sensitivity and specificity of duplex ultrasonography were 82% (95% CI, 70% to 93%) and 82% (CI, 72% to 92%), respectively. Venous incompressibility correlated well with thrombosis, whereas only 50% of isolated flow abnormalities proved to be thrombosis-related.


CONCLUSIONS
Duplex ultrasonography may be the method of choice for initial diagnosis of patients with suspected thrombosis of the upper extremities. However, in patients with isolated flow abnormalities, contrast venography should be performed.
Baarslag
Henk-Jan
HJ
Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. H.J.Baarslag@AMC.UvA.nl
van Beek
Edwin J R
EJ
Koopman
Maria M W
MM
Reekers
Jim A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology
D003287:Contrast Media