ROLE OF COLOR DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS OF THE LOWER LIMBS

Abstract

Color Doppler has been successfully used in the diagnosis of deep • venous thrombosis of the lower limbs. In view of this we carried out a prospective study of35 patients with suspected lower limb deep vein thrombosis. They were evaluated by real time B-mode, and color duplex Sonography. The study showed that 25 patients had sonographic signs confirming the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and the other ten patients were negative for D. V.T. & had other pathologies as 5 patients had cellulitis, 3 patients lymphedema and 2 patients had hematoma.

The examination starts with 2-dimensional 8-mode sonography to demonstrate the venous system of the lower limb(s) affected in order to assess the patency of the vessels by cross compression, presence of intraluminal echoes & blood or valve motion.

Next, color flow study of the veins was done to show the blood flow within the vessels, the change of color if there was reflux and the presence of collaterals. This was followed by Doppler study of the spectral wave for spontaneity, phasicity, augmentation and competence.

The examination was done segmentally both in longitudinal & transverse planes. During the later (at any segment) the vein compressibility was sequentially tested at approximately 2-cm intervals by cross compressiOn