Use of the triplex scanner in diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis
A. V. Persson, C. Jones, R. Zide and E. R. Jewell
Section of Peripheral Vascular Surgery, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Mass 01805.
We report our experience with 264 patients who underwent triplex scans for
venous occlusive disease over a 10-month period. Venography was obtained in
30 of these patients. Correlation between the two procedures was 100%. The
anatomic location of thrombosis and the extent of disease were identical in
both studies. The presence of intraluminal clot by angiodynography is
detected by looking for changes in the venous color-flow patterns and in
the B-mode image. Newer clots have low echogenicity and are seen as large
black areas in the gray-scale image. Older clots are more echogenic. The
presence of enlarged venous collateral veins as well as absence of color
flow and inability to compress the veins confirm the diagnosis of acute
deep venous thrombosis. The results of angiodynography alone can be used
safely in diagnosing acute deep venous thrombosis in patients. Equally
important, treatment can be withheld safety in a patient with normal
results.
