ABSTRACT
Radionuclide phlebography (RNP) of the lower extremities and pelvis was performed using 99mTc-MAA in 40 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was found in all patients, more frequently in the right calf and in the left iliac veins in 20 patients (55%). RNP and contrast phlebography (CP) were performed in 18 patients and confirmed the presence of DVT in all cases. The greatest specificity of RNP was obtained in the left (92.4%) and in the right pelvis (80%). In 12 of 18 patients in whom a cava filter was implanted, specificity of RNP was 100% for the left thigh and 91.7% for other localizations. In establishing indications for cava filter implantation, RNP should be performed prior to CP and bilaterally, but in case of non-indicated CP, RNP findings should be sufficient.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Embolism/complications , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin , Thrombophlebitis/diagnostic imaging , Vena Cava Filters , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pelvis/blood supply , Radionuclide Imaging , Thrombophlebitis/complications , VeinsABSTRACT
In all 40 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) radionuclide phlebography (RNP) detected deep venous thrombosis (DVT), most commonly in the left iliac veins, in 20 (50%). RNP and contrast phlebography (CP) were performed in 18 patients and RNP sensitivity was found in 100% in all localizations of DVT and the largest specificity was obtained in the left side of the pelvis, in 92%. In 12 out of 18 patients cava filter was implanted and BNP specificity in the left upper leg reached 100% and in the right one 89.3%. In establishing indications for cava filter implantation RNP should be performed first so that by detecting embologenous TDV localizations the risk of jatrogenous PTE at cava filter implantation would be avoided or CF, if necessary.