Calf Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the difficulties of the clinical diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and demonstrate the utility of ultrasound imaging as a diagnostic technique in suspected deep vein thrombosis. Design: Series of three case reports. Setting: Grondin Clinic, Calgery, Alberta, Canada. Patients: Three patients with symptoms suggestive of deep vein thrombosis of the calf. Interventions: Duplex ultrasound imaging in all patients combined with phlebography of the lower limb in one patient. Main outcome measure: Presence of deep vein thrombosis or soft tissue abnormalities of the lower limb on ultrasound imaging or venography. Results: A Baker cyst was found in one patient, an intramuscular haematoma in a further patient, both detected by ultrasound imaging, but not by venography. In the third patient a venogram failed to demonstrate deep vein thrombosis in the calf, but this was detected on ultrasound imaging. Conclusions: Ultrasound imaging is a valuable tool in reaching a diagnosis in patients presenting with symptoms suggesting deep vein thrombosis in the calf.