Deep venous thrombosis: detection by high-resolution real-time ultrasonography.

Abstract

High-resolution real-time ultrasonography was performed in 11 patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity. Contrast venography was performed in all patients within 24 h of sonographic examination. The common femoral vein at the groin and popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa were evaluated for presence or absence of intraluminal soft-tissue mass (thrombi), compressibility of the veins and response to performance of the Valsalva maneuver. Of the 11 patients, 6 were shown to have DVT by contrast venography. In all 6 cases there was complete agreement betweeen sonography and contrast venography as to the presence or absence of thrombi in the common femoral vein or the popliteal vein.