LIMITED B-MODE VENOUS IMAGING VERSUS COMPLETE COLOR-FLOW DUPLEX VENOUS SCANNING FOR DETECTION OF PROXIMAL DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of a Li mited B-mode compression technique (BMCT) with a complete color-flow d uplex venous examination (CDVE) for the detection of proximal deep vei n thrombosis (DVT). Methods: We prospectively studied 72 patients (20 men and 52 women) for DVT. Two technologists blinded to each other per formed either BMCT or CDVE independently. The BMCT is an abbreviated t echnique compressing two sites per limb. One site was the saphenofemor al junction including the superficial femoral and deep femoral vein co nfluence; the other was the saphenopopliteal junction including tibial vein confluence. Total limbs studied were 144. CDVE was considered th e gold standard for purposes of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy . Results: The technical failure rate of BMCT was three of 144. In all technically satisfactory examinations, the BMCT result was positive i n 15 of 141 limbs, and the CDVE result was positive in 13. Sensitivity of BMCT was 100%, specificity was 98%, and overall accuracy was 99%. There were two false-positive results with BMCT; both were cases of po pliteal veins deep to the artery leading to difficulty in compression. The BMCT was able to detect chronic thrombus, floating thrombus, and small thrombus behind femoral vein valve cusps. Conclusion: These data suggest that BMCT is a rapid, acceptable, alternative technique for d etecting proximal DVT. In cases of equivocal or positive findings, the spectral and color-how Doppler examination should be used to confirm the results.