Abstract
Background
Limited compression bedside ultrasonography (LCUS) including two-point, three-point,
and extended compression examinations have become increasingly popular among emergency
physicians to assess for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Objective
Our objective in this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of lower
extremity DVT in sites identified by complete duplex ultrasonography (CDUS) that may
potentially be missed using limited compression ultrasonography techniques.
Methods
This was a retrospective, multicenter study conducted at 12 hospitals within the Northwell
Health system over a span of 4 years. Study participants (emergency department patients)
underwent CDUS to assess for possible DVT. Images were reviewed and interpreted by
radiologists and vascular surgeons at each of the participating institutions.
Results
A total of 42,487 CDUS examinations were performed, of which 3383 were positive for
DVT. DVTs were deemed to be acute in 2664 (79%) and chronic in the remaining 21% on
the basis of comparison with previous studies and appearance of the vein. Of the acute
DVTs, 136 (5.1%) were confined to the common femoral vein, 116 (4.4%) to the femoral
vein, 8 (0.3%) to deep femoral vein, 213 (8.0%) to popliteal vein, and 934 (35.1)
to calf veins alone.
Conclusions
In our study, a significant number of DVTs were identified in sites that may have
been potentially missed on LCUS examinations, thereby supporting the use of complete
duplex ultrasonography when available.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 27, 2022
Accepted:
April 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
February 18,
2022
Received:
November 19,
2021
Footnotes
RECEIVED: 19 November 2021; FINAL SUBMISSION RECEIVED: 18 February 2022; ACCEPTED: 23 April 2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
