New radioisotope test for detection of deep venous thrombosis in the legs.

A radiopharmsceutical product, labelled macroaggregates of albumin (M.A.A.), which is in use as a lung scintiscanning agent has been noted to have an affinity for venous thrombi. With this material and an inexpensive portable scintillation detector we have attempted to diagnose and localize thrombi in leg veins. The procedure is performed at the bedside and the result is available in 30 minutes. Thirty-one patients with clinical evidence suggestive of deep venous thrombosis in the legs were studied by the radioisotope method and by phlebography. There was agreement in 18 of 21 legs shown to contain thrombus on phlebography and in 9 of 10 legs shown to be free of thrombosis on phlebography. There was, however, lesser agreement on the site of thrombosis between the two methods. The ease of performing the test combined with the rapidity of obtaining results and accuracy in diagnosis suggests that the test has a clinical application.