CAN THE US EXAMINATION FOR LOWER-EXTREMITY DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS BE ABBREVIATED - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 755 EXAMINATIONS

PURPOSE: To determine if the ultrasound (US) survey of the lower extre mity for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can be curtailed without comprom ising diagnostic efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performe d 755 US examinations in 721 patients (1,024 lower extremities) referr ed for suspicion of lower extremity DVT. The full lengths of the deep veins were studied, and findings were categorized at five locations: c ommon femoral vein (CFV), proximal superficial femoral vein (SFV), mid -SFV, distal SFV, and popliteal vein (pv). RESULTS: Acute thrombus was seen in one or more veins in 131 (17.4%) of the 755 examinations. DVT isolated to a single vein was seen in 28 (21.4%) of the 131 positive examinations: DVT was limited to the CFV in eight studies (6.1%), to t he SFV in six studies (4.6%), and to the FV in 14 studies (10.7%). CON CLUSION: DVT limited to a single vein occurs with sufficient frequency that the US screening survey cannot be abbreviated without loss of di agnostic efficacy.