[Sonographic diagnosis of deep pelvic/leg venous thrombosis: is color-coded Duplex sonography "superfluous"?]

In the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis compression B-mode sonography and colour coded Duplex-sonography both are reported to give excellent results in sensitivity and specificity in comparison to phlebography. Therefore value and cost effectiveness of colour coded Duplex-sonography versus compression B-mode sonography are questionable. In our examinations with colour coded Duplex-scanning done one 116 patients in comparison to phlebography we achieved corresponding results to the values of present publications (sensitivity in the leg was 100%, in the calf 89%; specificity in the leg was 94%, in the calf 91%). In earlier examinations with compression B-mode sonography done on 64 patients we were less successful in gaining these results in comparison to phlebography: sensitivity was 76% and specificity was 88% in the iliaco-, femoro-, popliteal region. We discuss the limitations of the compression test in our experiences and point out the advantages of colour coding under special situations.