Duplex sonography for detection of deep vein thrombosis of upper extremities: a 13-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of sonographically evident upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic Chinese patients and identify its associated risk factors.


METHODS
Regional hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Data on patients undergoing upper-extremity venous sonography examinations during a 13-year period from November 1999 to October 2012 were retrieved. Variables including age, sex, history of smoking, history of lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis, major surgery within 30 days, immobilisation within 30 days, cancer (history of malignancy), associated central venous or indwelling catheter, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sepsis within 30 days, and stroke within 30 days were tested using binary logistic regression to understand the risk factors for upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis.


METHODS
The presence of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis identified.


RESULTS
Overall, 213 patients with upper-extremity sonography were identified. Of these patients, 29 (13.6%) had upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis. The proportion of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis using initial ultrasound was 0.26% of all deep vein thrombosis ultrasound requests. Upper limb swelling was the most common presentation seen in a total of 206 (96.7%) patients. Smoking (37.9%), history of cancer (65.5%), and hypertension (27.6%) were the more prevalent conditions among patients in the upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis-positive group. No statistically significant predictor of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis was noted if all variables were included. After backward stepwise logistic regression, the final model was left with only age (P=0.119), female gender (P=0.114), and history of malignancy (P=0.024) as independent variables. History of malignancy remained predictive of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis is uncommon among symptomatic Chinese population. The most common sign is swelling and the major risk factor for upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis identified in this study is malignancy.
Department of Radiology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
Amy S Y
AS
Chung
Department of Radiology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Laichikok, Hong Kong.
W H
WH
Luk
Department of Radiology, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, 40 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong.
Adrian X N
AX
Lo
Department of Radiology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
C F
CF
Lo
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000379:methods*; D056824:Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*
Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Venous thrombosis/diagnosis