Diagnostic Efficacy of Computed Tomographic Scan (CT) for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Before confirming the clinical diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), patients complaining limb swelling sometimes require rather special, complexed, and invasive clinical tests, such as contrast and RI venography and doppler ultrasound scanning, to exclude lymphedema. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CT in differentiating DVT from lymphedema. Ten patients with limb swelling were evaluated by CT since April 1998 to September 1999. Eight patients were confirmed as proximal type DVT by duplex scanning and two other patients were diagnosed as lymphedema. The ratio of femoral muscle swelling (affected/unaffected) was estimated by measuring the area of femoral muscles on CT (FMR ; femoral muscle ratio). All DVT patients showed FMR above 1.2, while two lymphedema patients showed FMR less than 1.1. Additionally enhanced CT only demonstrated the existence of venous thrombi in 3 of 8 DVT patients. Hereby, we conclude that plain CT with few slices is quick, safe, and easy access tool for evaluating patients with limb swelling and is a suitable test especially for primary care physicians.