COLOUR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND EVALUATION IN DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS IN LOWER EXTREMITIES

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its sequel, pulmonary embolism, is a signicant clinical problem. Ultrasound is primary, non invasive, cheap, easily available modality for localization and characterization of the thrombus. Aim: To evaluate the role of Color Doppler ultrasound as an imaging modality in diagnosing DVT of lower limbs. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 50 patients with clinically suspected DVT of lower extremities, referred for Color venous doppler ultrasound imaging. In the patients with positive ndings, venous segment involved and the appearance of thrombus was noted. Results: Out of 50 clinically suspected patients, out of 38 patients positive for DVT, >50% were of > 40 years of age with male predominance (55%). Main risk factors for DVT were post surgery (30%), post trauma (22%) and hypercoagulable state (pregnancy, OCPs) (16%). Thrombus was seen in 10% of external iliac vein, 22% of common femoral vein, 26% of supercial femoral veins, 23% of popliteal vein and 19% of tibial venous segments. In this study, the percentage of acute, subacute and chronic DVT was 8%, 86.8%, 5.2% respectively. Out of these,14% of veins showed partial occlusion and 86% showed complete occlusion of venous segments. Conclusion: Color venous Doppler ultrasound was useful in diagnosing DVT in clinically suspected patients. In this study, Supercial femoral vein and Popliteal veins were most commonly involved. Subacute thrombus was most common type of thrombus found.