Popliteal cysts and deep venous thrombosis: Tc-99m red blood cell venography.

Abstract

Patients (34) who clinically were suspected of having deep venous thrombosis (DVT) underwent 99mTc red blood cell (RBC) venography followed by contrast venography. The sensitivity (88%) and specificity (94%) of 99mTc RBC venography for DVT confirmed findings of previous studies. Patients (24) who had proved popliteal cysts and swollen calves also were examined using 99mTc RBC venography. Large cysts (> 9 .times. 4 .times. 4 cm) showed lack of DVT features, photon deficient cold areas in the popliteal fossa and diversion of venous flow around the photon deficient area. These features were seen in 25% of the study population (6 patients), and assisted in the distinction between the 2 conditions.