[Diagnosis of thrombophlebitis of the leg using duplex sonography]

In a prospective study 113 extremities of 98 patients with suspected lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were examined by duplex sonography and phlebography. In 66 examinations phlebography demonstrated fresh thromboses which were limited to the calf in 14 cases. In all other cases thrombosis was partially or totally localized above the knee. Duplex sonography had a sensitivity in detection of thromboses of 91% (calf veins) up to 94% (proximal veins) and a specificity of 95% and 97%, respectively. Duplex sonography is a reliable method in diagnosis of thrombosis in the popliteal, superficial and common femoral und distal iliac vein. If phlebography is contraindicated, duplex sonography is the method of choice. It should also be performed additionally to phlebography to visualise surrounding tissue and detect the possible cause of thrombosis and clinical symptoms. Duplex sonography can also visualise veins that are not shown phlebographically.