Clinical Value of Venography of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

0ne hundred and six venograms of the lower extremities were performed in 77 patients. The major indications were: to aid in diagnosis in clinically equivocal thrombophlebitis, to diagnose previous disease of the deep veins, to evaluate thrombolytic therapy, and to study the natural history of thrombophlebitis. Thirty patients were examined because of suspected thrombophlebitis, but the diagnosis was radiographically confirmed in only 2. Of 9 patients with a history of previous phlebitis or with unexplained swelling, deep venous obstruction was present in only 2. In 27 patients in whom serial venograms were made to evaluate fibrinolytic therapy some lysis was observed in 9. The examination is easy to perform, and complications are minor and infrequent.