LOWER-EXTREMITY DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN CANCER-PATIENTS - CORRELATION OF PRESENTING SYMPTOMS WITH VENOUS SONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

We sought to determine how rates of sonographically detected deep veno us thrombosis correlate with presenting symptoms in cancer patients. W e performed venous sonography in 588 cancer patients with clinically s uspected lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Results were correlat ed with clinical findings. Deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed in 32% of patients with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and in 17% of pa tients with bilateral symptoms. Patients with unilateral symptoms of p ain and swelling, swelling alone, or pain alone had significantly diff erent rates of deep venous thrombosis (47%, 31%, and 16%, respectively ). In patients with bilateral leg symptoms, deep venous thrombosis was significantly more Likely when symptoms were not bilaterally symmetri c.