RSNA 2005 

Abstract Archives of the RSNA, 2005


LPL03-02

Indirect CT Venography versus Doppler Ultrasound in the Detection of Thromboembolic Disease in Patients with Clinical Suspicion of Pulmonary Embolism

Scientific Posters

Presented on November 30, 2005
Presented as part of LPL03: Chest (Miscellaneous)

Participants

Ana Garcia Bolado MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose
Jose Luis Del Cura MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

PURPOSE

To assess the reliability of CT indirect venography in the detection of deep venous thrombosis in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism, using Doppler ultrasound as the “gold standard” diagnostic method.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Data of 341 consecutive patients were prospectively obtained in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism. All of the patients included in the study underwent a CT pulmonary angiography, an indirect CT venography and a Doppler ultrasound study of the deep venous system of both legs. Institutional approval was obtained before the beginning of the study and informed consent was not required.

RESULTS

CT indirect venography detected thrombi in the deep venous system of 30 (12.76%)patients, 9 (3.83%) of them without signs of pulmonary embolism in the CT pulmonary angiography, which increased the diagnosis of thromboembolic disease in 3.86 %. When compared with the results obtained with Doppler ultrasound, CT indirect venography rendered a sensitivity of 58.82 %, specificity of 95.02 %, a positive predictive value of 66.66 % and a negative predictive value of 93.17 %.

CONCLUSION

The addition of a CT indirect venography to the CT pulmonary angiography in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism increases the diagnosis of thromboembolic disease. However, Doppler ultrasound is still the diagnostic method of choice in the detection of deep venous thrombosis.

Cite This Abstract

Garcia Bolado, A, Del Cura, J, Indirect CT Venography versus Doppler Ultrasound in the Detection of Thromboembolic Disease in Patients with Clinical Suspicion of Pulmonary Embolism.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4405915.html