Diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis

This study prospectively compares impedance plethysmograpy (IPC), indium-111 platelet scintigraphy, US, and MR imaging with contrast venography (CV) in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Two patient groups, asymptomatic gynecologic oncology patients with an increased risk of DVT in the perioperative period and symptomatic patients referred for DVT, are being studied. The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of each modality compared with CV in 33 patients are as follows: IPG, 25% and 37%; In-111 platelet scintigraphy, 43% and 82%; US, 75% and 100%; and MR imaging, 100% and 89%. These preliminary results demonstrate that US and MR imaging are accurate in the identification of DVT