Impedance phlebography: accuracy of diagnosis in deep vein thrombosis

In an evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of impedance phlebography for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, 51 limbs in 32 patients were examined simultaneously by impedance phlebography and by venography. The impendance diagnosis and accurate in 47 limbs, erroneous in 2 and inconclusive in 2; the overall accuracy was 92%. Simultaneous clinical diagnosis yielded an accuracy of 53%. The method requires full cooperation by the patient and meticulous attention to the details of the test by the physician or technician performing the examination.