Multi - slice spiral CT venography and digital subtraction venography for the diagnosis of iliac vein compression syndrome: a comparison study

Objective: To evaluate multi-slice spiral CT venography (MSCTV) and digital subtraction venography (DSV) in diagnosing iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) and secondary thrombosis. Methods: The imaging materials, including MSCTV and DSV performed before and after the thrombolysis therapy, of 38 patients with clinically-suspected IVCS were collected. The inner diameters of the compressed iliac veins were measured on MSCTV images and the compression ratio was calculated. Using χ² test, the detection rates of IVCS by MSCTV and DSV were compared. Results: Of 38 patients, IVCS was detected by MSCTV in 29, by pretreatment DSV in 20 and by post-treatment DSV in 29. The difference in the detection rate of IVCS between MSCTV and pre-treatment DSV was statistically significant (χ² = 4.65, 0.01 < P < 0.05), while the difference in the detection rate of IVCS between MSCTV and post-treatment DSV was not significant (χ² = 0.00, P > 0.05). Conclusion: For the diagnosis of IVCS, MSCTV is superior to pre-treatment DSV in the diagnostic accuracy of iliac vein compression syndrome. Therefore, MSCTV should be used as the preferred method of examination. (authors)