A profile of lower-limb deep-vein thrombosis: the hidden menace of below-knee DVT

Cowell, G.W. , Reid, J.H., Simpson, A.J. and Murchison, J.T. (2007) A profile of lower-limb deep-vein thrombosis: the hidden menace of below-knee DVT. Clinical Radiology, 62(9), pp. 858-863. (doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2007.01.027) (PMID:17662733)

Abstract

Aims: To describe the anatomical site and laterality of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in symptomatic patients using contrast venography (CV), and to assess age, sex distribution, and accuracy of pre-test clinical suspicion of DVT. Methods: One thousand, five hundred and seventy-two patients undergoing CV because of a clinical suspicion of DVT at a large teaching hospital from October 1995 to March 2003 were prospectively studied. Results: Thrombi were demonstrated in 511 (32.5%) of all CV studies. Isolated, below-knee thrombi were identified in 29.4% of positive studies. There was a left-sided predominance of DVT (ratio 1.24:1) that was most evident in the elderly and in more proximal veins. Conclusion: Almost a third of positive cases were shown to be isolated, below-knee thrombi. These are thrombi that are more difficult to detect by non-invasive means. A left-sided predominance of DVT is evident.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cowell, Dr Gordon
• Authors: Cowell, G.W., Reid, J.H., Simpson, A.J., and Murchison, J.T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Clinical Radiology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0009-9260
• ISSN (Online): 1365-229X