Depth localization of thrombi and dynamic studies of postoperative thrombosis using the...

Forty-one patients subjected to gynecologic surgery were investigated by means of the 125I-fibrinogen-sum-coincidence (FSC) method, which allows depth determination as well as absolute activity measurements of the thrombi. In 14 patients with postoperative deep venous thrombosis there was a good correlation between the depths of thrombi measured on phlebograms and those determined by the FSC test. The new technique allows differentiation between superficial thrombophlebitis and deep venous thrombosis, thereby eliminating the main disadvantage that has limited the use of the original fibrinogen uptake test. The FSC test makes it possible to calculate the absolute net activity of 125I-fibrinogen in a thrombus and to measure its elimination rate. The courses of individual thrombi could be followed up for as long as 1 month after surgery.