BACKGROUND. Traditionally, venography is used to investigate deep vein
thrombosis (DVT) though duplex ultrasound offers a challenging, nonin
vasive alternative method and previous reports have described the use
of duplex ultrasound for detecting proximal lesions. OBJECTIVE. To com
pare duplex ultrasound imaging with venography for both proximal and d
istal lesions using the probe compression technique and a different pr
otocol. METHODS. Duplex scans were done by the same operator prior and
blind to venography, which was performed using a standard protocol wi
th the films being reviewed blindly by a second radiologist at a later
date. RESULTS. In 74 patients, 21 of 22 above-knee lesions present on
venography were detected by duplex scanning and there was complete ag
reement in the 52 of 52 venogram negatives. For lesions below the knee
, duplex detected 26 of 27 lesions also present on venography and agre
ed on 37 of 43 venogram negatives. These figures give duplex ultrasoun
d overall accuracies of 99% and 90% (Kappa 98% and 89%) for above- and
below-knee lesions, respectively. CONCLUSION. These figures suggest d
uplex ultrasound technique compares favorably with venography for diag
nosing both proximal and distal lesions.