title: Ultrasonography of the lower limbs for deep vein thrombosis at the University Hospital of the West Indies. A five-year analysis.
abstract: A study was conducted on all patients referred to the ultrasound service of the radiology department of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, for evaluation of a clinical diagnosis of thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower limb, during the period January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1999. The calf veins were not routinely examined; this study was limited to the popliteal, superficial and deep femoral veins. Two hundred and seventy-four females and 104 males were referred. Seventy females and 32 males had ultrasound findings of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The significant findings were that the male:female ratio for confirmed DVT was approximately 1:2; 26% of referrals had DVT on ultrasound; DVT was more common on the left and the popliteal vein (48%) and the superficial femoral vein (47%) accounted for most documented cases of DVT but thrombosis of the profunda femoral vein was unusual accounting for only 5% of cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Pathology, University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. wmwest@mail.infochan.com
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brady-West
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014900:West Indies