Color Doppler imaging versus phlebography in the diagnosis of deep leg and pelvic vein thrombosis

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 1997-01, Vol.16 (1), p.31-37
• Main Authors: Becker, D, Günter, E, Strauss, R, Cidlinsky, K, Tomandl, B, Kalden-Nemeth, D, Neureiter, D, Lang, W, Hahn, E G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Femoral Vein - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pelvis - blood supply; Phlebography; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thrombophlebitis - diagnostic imaging; Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.1997.16.1.31

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of color Doppler imaging in comparison to phlebography in diagnosing phlebothrombosis. Five hundred and twenty‐six phlebographies (reference method) were compared with 526 color Doppler sonographic examinations. Thrombosis diagnosed with color Doppler imaging showed a sensitivity of 98.0% (400 of 408). In 91.6% (482 of 526) of all examinations the extent of the thrombosis diagnosed with phlebography could also be seen with color Doppler imaging. When the clinical situation is unclear, color Doppler imaging should precede phlebography. Only when findings with ultrasonography are questionable should phlebography definitely be considered.