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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Ultrasound | Research article

Isolated calf deep venous thrombosis: frequency on venous ultrasound and clinical characteristics

Authors: Thomas Heller, Mattes Becher, Jens-Christian Kröger, Ebba Beller, Susanne Heller, Raimund Höft, Marc-André Weber, Felix G. Meinel

Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

It remains controversial whether to include calf veins in the initial ultrasound evaluation of suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We sought to investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of isolated calf DVT.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective analysis, we investigated a cohort of 596 patients (median age 69 years, 52.3% women) who had been imaged with complete lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound for suspected acute DVT. Radiology reports were analyzed for the presence and localization of DVT. Clinical information was collected from patients’ electronic charts.

Results

DVT was found in 157 patients (26.3%), of which 74 patients (47.1%) had isolated calf DVT. Isolated calf DVTs were located in the posterior tibial veins (22 patients, 29.7%), peroneal veins (41 patients, 55.4%) and muscle veins (19 patients, 25.7%). There were no differences in age or sex between patients with isolated calf DVT and patients with proximal DVT. Isolated calf DVT was more commonly associated with leg pain (52.7% vs. 33.7%, p = 0.0234) and less commonly associated with subjective leg swelling (35.1% vs. 55.4%, p = 0.0158) and objectively measured difference in leg circumference (23% vs. 39.8%, p = 0.0268). D-Dimers were significantly lower in patients with isolated lower leg DVT (median 2.3 vs. 6.8 mg/L, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with proximal DVT.

Conclusions

Isolated calf DVT represents approximately half of DVT cases and has different clinical characteristics than proximal DVT.

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Title: Isolated calf deep venous thrombosis: frequency on venous ultrasound and clinical characteristics
Authors: Thomas Heller
Mattes Becher
Jens-Christian Kröger
Ebba Beller
Susanne Heller
Raimund Höft
Marc-André Weber
Felix G. Meinel
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Ultrasound
Venous Thrombosis
Leg Pain
Leg Swelling
Ultrasound
Venous Thrombosis
Leg Pain
Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-227X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-021-00516-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Isolated calf deep venous thrombosis: frequency on venous ultrasound and clinical characteristics

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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