[Indirect CT venography in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism: our experience and possible indications for the test].
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate the sensitivity of indirect computed tomography (CT) venography in the evaluation of deep vein thrombosis and to establish possible general indications for this technique in cases with clinical suspicion of thromboembolic disease.


METHODS
We studied 76 patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism who underwent CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries and indirect CT venography. We correlated the results with those of ultrasound examination of the limbs in 63 cases to determine the sensitivity of the test. We analyzed the cases in which the findings at indirect CT venography changed the management of the patient.


RESULTS
The concordance between indirect CT venography and ultrasound was 92%. Thromboembolic disease was diagnosed in 40% of the cases. In these cases, CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries was positive in 80% and in the remaining 20% only CT venography was positive. In two cases, abdominal pathology that changed the clinical management of the patients was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Indirect CT venography is sensitive in the detection of deep vein thrombosis in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism. This technique can shorten the time to diagnosis, increase diagnostic precision, and provide additional clinical data that may be important in the patient's management. However, its generalized use is limited because it involves the use of ionizing radiation.
Herrero
H Gómez
HG
Servicio de Radiología, Hospital Reina Sofía, Tudela, Navarra, España. gomezhelena@hotmail.com
Asensio
S García
SG
Asensio
M T Martínez-Berganza
MT
de Toledo
L Sarría Octavio
LS
Cabrejas
R Cozcolluela
RC
Morales
A Forradellas
AF
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed