Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in lower extremities with equilibrium radionuclide imaging

A procedure was developed for detecting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in lower extremities. 30 min after i.v. of in vivo labelled 99mTc-RBC to the arm, equilibrium venography (EV) was performed. Radionuclide plethysmography (RPG was continued and divided into two types: cuff above knees and above ankles. The following information were provided by this technique: 91) equilibrium images of both legs, (2) segment of thrombosed vein (iliac, femoral, popliteal or tibial), (3) RPG curves, amount and speed of venous flow, (4) degree of venous occlusion (complete and incomplete obstruction). Among 350 patients with suspected DVT, (1) 78 cases were normal in venous flow, (2) 133 cases had unilateral and 108 had bilateral obstruction, (3) 31 cases suffered from venous insufficiency. Equilibrium method was compared with radionuclide venography (RNV) in 50 patients and compared with contrast venography (CV) in 10 patients. The coincidence rates were both 90%. Instead of RNV, equilibrium method (EV + RPG) is recommended for routine examination of patients suspected DVT