[Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis using multi-detector helical CT].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of multi-detector helical CT (MDHCT) with contrast medium in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
The bilateral veins of the dorsal pedis in 45 patients (12 men, 33 women; average age, 64 years) under clinical suspicion of DVT were first punctured using 22-G needles. Then CT scanning from the level of the foot to the inferior vena cava was started 20 sec after the initial injection of 200 mL of dilute contrast medium (50 mL nonionic iodinated contrast medium of 300 mgI/mL and 150 mL saline) at a rate of 5 mL/sec.


RESULTS
Two patients were excluded because of unsuccessful venous puncture. The average scanning time in 43 patients was 38.5 +/- 7.9 seconds. Images of veins from the foot to the inferior vena cava were clearly demonstrated in each case. MDHCT showed DVT in 32 cases and patent deep vein in 11 cases. Simultaneous venography of the lower extremity in 18 patients clearly visualized DVT at the same level detected by contrast MDHCT.


CONCLUSIONS
MDHCT for the diangosis of DVT has the advantages of wider scanning range, shorter scanning time, and finer Z-axis resolution than the other diagnostic modalities.
Kimura
Masashi
M
Department of Radiology, Wakayama Medical University.
Minamiguchi
Hiroki
H
Sahara
Shinya
S
Yamada
Katsuyuki
K
Nakai
Motoki
M
Tanihata
Hirohiko
H
Kishi
Kazushi
K
Terada
Masaki
M
Shioyama
Yasukazu
Y
Sato
Morio
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media