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A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis
10:26

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Published on: June 2, 2015

Diagnostic approaches for detecting deep vein thrombosis

D E Strandness1

  • 1Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.

American Journal of Cardiac Imaging
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Confirming acute deep vein thrombosis requires objective testing. Ultrasonic duplex scanning offers high accuracy (90-100%) for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis from the vena cava to below the knee.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis necessitates objective confirmation.
  • Current methods like Doppler and impedance plethysmography have limitations, especially below the knee.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonic duplex scanning for acute deep vein thrombosis.
  • To compare duplex scanning with other diagnostic modalities for DVT.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized continuous-wave Doppler, impedance plethysmography, and ultrasonic duplex scanning.
  • Duplex scanning assessed thrombus visualization, vein compressibility, and venous blood flow.
  • Diagnostic accuracy was determined using sensitivity and specificity metrics.

Main Results:

  • Duplex scanning demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity (90-100%) for DVT detection.
  • Limitations of Doppler and plethysmography include inability to assess distal DVT accurately.
  • False positives with duplex scanning were noted in iliac and superficial femoral veins; false negatives in calf veins.

Conclusions:

  • Ultrasonic duplex scanning is a highly accurate method for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis throughout the venous system.
  • Duplex scanning provides superior anatomical detail and diagnostic confidence compared to Doppler and plethysmography.
  • Careful application of diagnostic criteria is essential to minimize false positives and negatives in specific venous segments.

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