[Value of color-coded duplex sonography in diagnosis of acute and chronic venous diseases of the lower extremity]. / Stellenwert der farbkodierten Duplexsonographie bei der Diagnostik von akuten und chronischen venösen Erkrankungen der unteren Extremität.

ABSTRACT

In a prospective study we compared colour duplex ultrasound to venography in 325 patients with clinically suspected acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. In 269 cases of proven thrombosis overall sensitivity and specificity of colour duplex ultrasound were 98% and in calf vein thrombosis 96%. Investigations by both methods after fibrinolytic urokinase therapy of phlebothrombosis in 53 patients revealed no significant diagnostic differences between the two methods. In 115 patients with clinically suspected chronic venous insufficiency colour duplex ultrasound allowed to differentiate between occluded, partially recanalised or normal deep veins with or without venous valve incompetence and superficial venous insufficiency. In this study colour duplex ultrasound in diagnosis of acute or chronic lower limb venous disease attained results that were comparable to those obtained by phlebography.