Diagnostic imaging of lower limb deep venous thrombosis

Lower limb deep venous thrombosis is a common clinical disorder that can lead to fatal pulmonary emboli and postphlebitic syndrome. The clinical evaluation for deep venous thrombosis has been found to be useful in nonhospitalized patients, but a low-cost, easily available technique to confirm the presence of lower limb thrombi is still needed. Doppler ultrasound examination with compression has emerged as the diagnostic imaging study of choice for most patients. Contrast venography, magnetic resonance imaging or radionuclide scintigraphy may be useful in selected patients.