DIAGNOSIS OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS OF TH E LEG AND POSTTHROMBOTIC SYNDROME VIA ULTRASOUND ANGIOGRAPHY - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Purpose: Aim of the present study was to establish the value of ultras ound angiography compared with colour duplex sonography and phlebograp hy in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the leg and insuffici ency of the perforating vein. Method: Sixty-two patients with deep ven ous thrombosis of the leg and 30 patients with post-thrombotic syndrom e and perforating vein insufficiency underwent diagnostic examination by colour duplex sonography, ultrasound angiography and phlebography. Endoscopic varicose surgery was taken as the gold standard for diagnos is of perforating vein insufficiency. Results: In the diagnosis of dee p venous thrombosis, the specificity of colour duplex sonography was 9 2% in the thigh, 100% in the popliteal area and 89% in the lower leg. Colour angiography showed higher specificity, 95%, in the lower leg. I n the diagnosis of perforating vein insufficiency, accuracy specificit y of the three procedures was 60% for colour duplex sonography, 47% fo r phlebography and 80% for ultrasound angiography. Conclusions: The di agnosis of venous thromboses in the lower leg can be further improved by means of ultrasound angiography. Ultrasound angiography is the best method for demonstrating insufficiency of the perforating vein.