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Updated: May 13, 2026
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Near-miss in focused lower-extremity ultrasound for deep venous thrombosis
Robert M Bramante1, Christopher C Raio
1Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
Background:
Focused, proximal compression ultrasound (FPCUS) is a commonly used point-of-care study in the Emergency Department (ED). Pelvic vein deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a rare presentation, and Emergency Physicians need to be aware of the limitations and pitfalls of FPCUS.
Objective:
A case of external iliac vein DVT diagnosed in the ED is presented, with a focus on subtle signs seen during FPCUS that led to the diagnosis and additional ultrasound techniques to aid in appropriate point-of-care diagnosis.
Case Report:
We describe a patient who presented with lower-extremity pain and was subsequently diagnosed with external iliac DVT. A FPCUS study by Emergency Physicians was performed and demonstrated subtle findings that led to further investigation and appropriate diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Emergency physicians using FPCUS in the evaluation of lower-extremity pain or swelling need to be aware of the pitfalls, limitations, and advanced techniques to avoid misdiagnosis while evaluating for DVT.
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