R H Gottlieb1, J Widjaja, L Tian, D J Rubens, S L Voci. 1. Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We determined the accuracy of sonography in the detection of isolated calf deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the rate of indeterminate ultrasound examinations in patients with physical signs or symptoms suggestive of DVT. METHODS: We reviewed the medical literature (MEDLINE) to determine the accuracy of sonography and the frequency of indeterminate studies in detecting isolated calf DVT in patients with physical signs or symptoms suggestive of DVT. A meta-analysis was used to derive summary measures of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy from studies in which 5 or more isolated calf DVT were identified. Frequencies of indeterminate examinations were recorded for studies in which these data were provided, and we pooled these results with our own data for 196 patients. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that sonography correctly identified isolated calf DVT in 49 of 53 extremities (sensitivity, 92.5%; 95% confidence interval, 81.8-97.9%) and correctly identified the absence of calf DVT in 157 of 159 extremities (specificity, 98.7%; 95% confidence interval, 95.5-99. 9%), yielding an accuracy of 97.2% (95% confidence interval, 93.9-99. 0%) for ultrasound examinations considered diagnostic. However, when evaluating our patient population and the literature, we found a substantial number of indeterminate studies (overall rate of 54.6% in 463 extremities), with a wide variation in the reported frequency of indeterminate studies (9.3-82.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is highly accurate in detecting isolated calf DVT in symptomatic patients, but indeterminate studies occur frequently, with a wide range of reported rates. Each ultrasound laboratory should evaluate its own rate of indeterminate studies. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PURPOSE: We determined the accuracy of sonography in the detection of isolated calfdeep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the rate of indeterminate ultrasound examinations in patients with physical signs or symptoms suggestive of DVT. METHODS: We reviewed the medical literature (MEDLINE) to determine the accuracy of sonography and the frequency of indeterminate studies in detecting isolated calf DVT in patients with physical signs or symptoms suggestive of DVT. A meta-analysis was used to derive summary measures of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy from studies in which 5 or more isolated calf DVT were identified. Frequencies of indeterminate examinations were recorded for studies in which these data were provided, and we pooled these results with our own data for 196 patients. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that sonography correctly identified isolated calf DVT in 49 of 53 extremities (sensitivity, 92.5%; 95% confidence interval, 81.8-97.9%) and correctly identified the absence of calf DVT in 157 of 159 extremities (specificity, 98.7%; 95% confidence interval, 95.5-99. 9%), yielding an accuracy of 97.2% (95% confidence interval, 93.9-99. 0%) for ultrasound examinations considered diagnostic. However, when evaluating our patient population and the literature, we found a substantial number of indeterminate studies (overall rate of 54.6% in 463 extremities), with a wide variation in the reported frequency of indeterminate studies (9.3-82.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is highly accurate in detecting isolated calf DVT in symptomatic patients, but indeterminate studies occur frequently, with a wide range of reported rates. Each ultrasound laboratory should evaluate its own rate of indeterminate studies. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Authors: Amir Qaseem; Vincenza Snow; Patricia Barry; E Rodney Hornbake; Jonathan E Rodnick; Timothy Tobolic; Belinda Ireland; Jodi Segal; Eric Bass; Kevin B Weiss; Lee Green; Douglas K Owens Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2007 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.166