Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of sonography and the frequency
of indeterminate sonographic examinations in the evaluation of patients with suspected
lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We prospectively evaluated 136 symptomatic
patients (157 extremities) with suspected DVT using sonography and contrast-enhanced
venography (n=106 patients, 115 extremities). Using venography as the reference standard for diagnosing
DVT, the sensitivity and specificity of sonography was 92.8% and 98%, respectively,
yielding an accuracy of 96.8%. The frequency of indeterminate examinations for calf
DVT was 32.4%. One (0.7%) fatal pulmonary embolus occurred in our patients. The pulmonary
embolism (PE) rate was 1.6% after lower extremity sonography with negative results.
Sonography is highly accurate in detecting lower extremity DVT in symptomatic patients.
Because of the high frequency of indeterminate studies in the calf and the associated
possible risk of pulmonary emboli, we urge radiologists exercise additional caution
when evaluating symptomatic patients with clinically suspected lower extremity DVT.
Keywords
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© 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
