Current and future perspectives in imaging of venous thromboembolism

• Published in: Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis 2016-09, Vol.14 (9), p.1696-1710
• Main Authors: Dronkers, C. E. A., Klok, F. A., Huisman, M. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Algorithms; Angiography; Animals; Blood clots; Cerebral Veins - pathology; diagnostic imaging; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Diagnostic Imaging - trends; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical imaging; Middle Aged; multidetector computed tomography; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Positron-Emission Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Splanchnic Circulation; Thromboembolism; Tomography; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; ultrasonography; Veins & arteries; venous thromboembolism; Venous Thromboembolism - diagnostic imaging; Venous Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 1538-7933; 1538-7836; 1538-7836
• DOI: 10.1111/jth.13403

Summary Several thrombus imaging techniques for the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are available. The most prevalent forms of VTE are deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities and pulmonary embolism. However, VTE may also occur at unusual sites such as deep veins of the upper extremity and the splanchnic and cerebral veins. Currently, the imaging techniques most widely used in clinical practice are compression ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. Moreover, single‐photon emission CT, CT venography, positron emission tomography, and different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging, have been evaluated in clinical studies. This review provides an overview of the technique, diagnostic accuracy and potential pitfalls of these established and emerging imaging modalities for the different sites of venous thromboembolism.