Real-time sector compression ultrasonography v. contrast venography in femoropopliteal thrombosis.

Compression ultrasonography with a 5 MHz sector transducer was compared prospectively with contrast venography in 61 patients for the diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in the femoropopliteal segment (63 legs). The ultrasonographic procedure was found to be sensitive (84%) and specific (100%) in diagnosing femoropopliteal thrombosis. The results using a sector transducer are comparable with results obtained from the use of linear transducers. The wide availability of 5 MHz sector transducers in radiology departments makes compression ultrasonography a widely applicable alternative to contrast venography for diagnosis of DVT of the femoropopliteal segment. The procedure is less costly, less invasive and less time-consuming than contrast venography.