title: Duplex-Doppler ultrasonography in the detection of lower extremities deep venous thrombosis and in the detection of alternative findings.
abstract: The diagnoses observed in patients referred for the Doppler ultrasonographic examination of peripheral and iliac veins for suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are presented in this study. During 48 months 2,610 patients were examined by duplex Doppler ultrasonography (US). Among these, 1,879 were women (72%) and 731 men (28%), with the age-range 16-91 (mean 56, 2) years. Ultrasonic scanners Acuson 128 XP 10, ATL HDI 5000, GE Logiq 7, and GE Logiq 9 were used, with transducers in the frequency range from 2.5-14 MHz. Findings were categorized into four main categories: (1) deep venous thrombosis (DVT); (2) pathology predominantly related to superficial veins without DVT, (3) pathology of adjacent structures; (4) normal findings. 562 patients had DVT (21.5%). 1,108 patients (42.5%) had predominant pathology of superficial veins: postthrombotic syndrome, superficial thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. 390 patients (14.9%) had pathology of surrounding structures, unrelated to veins, the most common pathology being popliteal cysts and muscular hematomas. These lesions must be properly diagnosed by US to avoid erroneous anticoagulant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital , "Dubrava", Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brkljacić
authors.forename: Tonći
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Misević
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huzjan
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brajcić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ivanac
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*