This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Baxter, G. M. Articles by Morley, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Baxter, G. M. Articles by Morley, P.

Comparison of colour Doppler ultrasound with venography in the diagnosis of axillary and subclavian vein thrombosis

G. M. Baxter, FRCR W. Kincaid, FRCR R. F. Jeffrey, MRCP, MD ^* G. M. Millar C. Porteous, FRCS, MD and P. Morley, FRCR

Department of Radiology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11, UK ^* Department of Renal Medicine, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11, UK Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11, UK

Correspondence: Address correspondence to Dr G. M. Baxter, Senior Registrar, Department of Radiology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11, UK.

The primary imaging technique in suspected venous occlusive disease has for many years been contrast venography. Recent studies have shown ultrasound with the addition of colour Doppler imaging to be a suitable alternative method in the diagnosis of lower limb venous thrombosis. We have applied these techniques to the upper limb venous system, and have performed a prospective study of 19 patients (30 limbs) comparing colour Doppler ultrasound with venography in the diagnosis of axillary and subclavian vein thrombosis, for which colour Doppler ultrasound has a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. If vein stenosis is included, the sensitivity falls to 89%. We propose that colour Doppler ultrasound is a suitable first-line alternative to venography in the diagnosis of axillary and subclavian vein thrombosis. In addition to showing the major venous drainage of the upper limb, ultrasound routinely assesses patency of the internal jugular vein, which is, on occasion, of clinical relevance when determining possible future sites of venous access. If, however, colour Doppler ultrasound is normal then bilateral upper limb venography is indicated to exclude a more central venous problem or localized stenotic lesion.

Key Words: Colour • Doppler • Vein • Thrombosis

Received for publication September 1, 1990. Revision received January 1, 1991.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. D. Bushnell, A. W. Anz, K. Dugger, G. A. Sakryd, and T. J. Noonan Effort Thrombosis Presenting as Pulmonary Embolism in a Professional Baseball Pitcher Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, November 1, 2009; 1(6): 493 - 499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Smith and S. K. Dimitri Diagnosis and Management of Subclavian Vein Thrombosis: Three Case Reports and Review of Literature Angiology, March 1, 2008; 59(1): 100 - 106. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. E. Chin, P. T. Zimmerman, and E. G. Grant Sonographic Evaluation of Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis J. Ultrasound Med., June 1, 2005; 24(6): 829 - 838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. van Rooden, E. F. Schippers, R. M.Y. Barge, F. R. Rosendaal, H. F.L. Guiot, F. J.M. van der Meer, A. E. Meinders, and M. V. Huisman Infectious Complications of Central Venous Catheters Increase the Risk of Catheter-Related Thrombosis in Hematology Patients: A Prospective Study J. Clin. Oncol., April 20, 2005; 23(12): 2655 - 2660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. V. Joffe, N. Kucher, V. F. Tapson, S. Z. Goldhaber, and for the Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) FREE Steering C Upper-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Prospective Registry of 592 Patients Circulation, September 21, 2004; 110(12): 1605 - 1611. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. S. Giess, H. Thaler, A. M. Bach, and L. E. Hann Clinical Experience With Upper Extremity Venous Sonography in a High-Risk Cancer Population J. Ultrasound Med., December 1, 2002; 21(12): 1365 - 1370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-J. Baarslag, E. J.R. van Beek, M. M.W. Koopman, and J. A. Reekers Prospective Study of Color Duplex Ultrasonography Compared with Contrast Venography in Patients Suspected of Having Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Upper Extremities Ann Intern Med, June 18, 2002; 136(12): 865 - 872. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. O. Mustafa, S. W. Rathbun, T. L. Whitsett, and G. E. Raskob Sensitivity and Specificity of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Systematic Review Arch Intern Med, February 25, 2002; 162(4): 401 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Tapson The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Venous Thromboembolism . Clinical Practice Guideline Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 1, 1999; 160(3): 1043 - 1066. [Full Text]

				M. C. Patel, L. H. Berman, H. A. Moss, and S. J. McPherson Subclavian and Internal Jugular Veins at Doppler US: Abnormal Cardiac Pulsatility and Respiratory Phasicity as a Predictor of Complete Central Occlusion Radiology, May 1, 1999; 211(2): 579 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. Kroger, C. Gocke, C. Schelo, A. Hinrichs, and G. Rudofsky Association of Subclavian and Jugular Vein Thrombosis: Color Doppler Sonographic Evaluation Angiology, March 1, 1998; 49(3): 189 - 191. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Prandoni, P. Polistena, E. Bernardi, A. Cogo, D. Casara, F. Verlato, F. Angelini, P. Simioni, G. P. Signorini, L. Benedetti, et al. Upper-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Complications Arch Intern Med, January 13, 1997; 157(1): 57 - 62. [Abstract] [PDF]