Ultrasonography of the lower limbs for deep vein thrombosis at the University Hospital of the West Indies

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted on all patients referred to the ultrasound service of the radiology department of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, for evaluation of a clinical diagnosis of thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower limb, during the period January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1999. The calf veins were not routinely examined; this study was limited to the popliteal, superficial and deep femoral veins. Two hundred and seventy-four females and 104 males were referred. Seventy females and 32 males had ultrasound findings of deep thrombosis (DVT). The significant findings were that the male female ratio for confirmed DVT was approximately 12; 26 percent of referrals had DVT on ultrasound; DVT was more common on the left and the popliteal vein (48 percent) and the superficial femoral vein (47 percent) accounted for most documented cases of DVT but thrombosis of the profunda femoral vein was unusual accounting for only 5 percent of cases. (AU)