Short- and medium-term duplex sonography follow-up of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs.
PURPOSE: We conducted this study to assess the progression or regression of venous thrombi during and after treatment and to search for criteria of embolism risk. METHODS: We prospectively studied 75 patients with lower limb deep venous thrombosis. We used B-mode sonography for the diagnosis and follow-up of these thrombi. Pulmonary scintigraphy was performed at days 1 and 10. We evaluated the topography, echogenicity, and structure of the thrombus; the location and wall attachment of its head; and the vein diameter. Each venous segment was semiquantitatively scored as follows: 0, no thrombosis; 1, partially obstructive thrombosis; or 2, complete thrombosis. RESULTS: The decreases in the total thrombosis score were 4%, 11%, 51%, 72%, and 84% on days 5, 10, 30, 90, and 365 (1 year), respectively. Pulmonary embolism occurred in 27 patients, of whom 16 were asymptomatic. Thrombi in iliac veins exhibited a slower regression rate than those in calf and femoral veins. Pulmonary embolism occurred in 54% of patients with versus 24% of patients without a floating thrombus head. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is useful for the early detection of thrombus progression and the evaluation of embolism risk, which seems to be greater in patients with a floating thrombus head.