Color-encoded duplex sonography

Venography is the standard examination for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, this method is invasive and expensive. The newly available color-encoded duplex sonography allows the simultaneous display of soft tissue and blood flow over the entire scan field. The authors conducted a prospective study to find out whether this technique can replace venography. In 78 patients, the whole femora sand the popliteal vein were evaluated, and the results were compared with those of venography. Thirty-three patients had DVT, 21 had no abnormalities, and 24 displayed postthrombotic alterations. Color-encoded duplex sonography showed three false-negative and two false-positive findings. The technique is a rapid and noninvasive screening method for evaluation of patients with suspected DVT