Diagnostic Accuracy of Color Doppler Ultrasonography among Patients Having Deep Vein Thrombosis by Taking Venography as Gold Standard

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of Color Doppler ultrasonography in patients with Deep Venous Thrombosis by using venography as gold standard at Radiology department of Civil Hospital Karachi.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2014 to March 2015 at Radiology Unit, Civil Hospital Karachi. Patients of either gender with deep venous thrombosis were included based on clinical examination and observation. For Doppler ultrasound, the combinations of spectral scanning, color compression, and grey scale were used. Potential anomalies including existing or non-existing thrombus along with its magnitude were evaluated. Color Doppler Sonographic results included incompressible, lack of phasicity, site of flow space and absence of increasing trend. Scan diagnosis was subsequently contrasted with venographic reports and recorded in self-made proforma. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: Total 104 patients were studied and their average age was 52.4±9.4 years. Males and females were 56% and 44% respectively. Color Doppler ultrasonography findings showed 99% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Positive predictive value 99% and negative predictive value 80% and accuracy was 98%.

Conclusion: Color Doppler ultrasonography is cost-effective, efficient, safe, and non-invasive method to diagnose the deep venous thrombosis of acute nature.