Diagnostic study reveals most deep vein thrombi originate in calf soleal veins among suspected patients, indicating clinical diagnosis requires venographic confirmation.
Key Points
To identify the anatomical site of origin for lower-limb deep vein thrombosis using a comprehensive venographic technique.
Assessed deep and soleal veins using a specialized venographic technique in 127 consecutive medical and surgical patients.
Evaluated 97 patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis to establish diagnostic accuracy and anatomical clot distribution.
Venography confirmed thrombosis in 51 of 97 clinically suspected patients (52%), whereas 46 had entirely normal deep veins.
Isolated soleal vein thrombosis occurred in 9 patients, while only 1 patient presented with proximal thrombosis and normal soleal veins; all other proximal cases had continuous soleal involvement.