Thrombosis: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics

  • Compression phlebosonography (KUS, synonym: venous compression sonography); sonography (ultrasound examination) to document and check the compressibility of the deep veins in the legs and arms) – in cases of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT); very safe procedure especially in cases of thrombi (blood clots) of the femoral veins or popliteal vein [gold standard]Examination: start at the V. femoralis communis via the V. femoralis superior through the adductor canal to the V. poplitea and the proximal femoral veins[Thrombosed vein: distended, echoinhomogeneous content]
  • Color-coded duplex sonography – if thrombus is suspected in the vena cava/pelvic veins [direct visualization of thrombus, if necessary; decreased or absent compressibility of vein volume; abolished respiratory modulation of blood flow; if complete venous occlusion: absent blood flow]

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.

  • Phlebography (imaging of the veins by contrast medium in an X-ray examination) – indicated for sonographically unclear findings.
  • Venous occlusion plethysmography – indicated for course assessment, if necessary.
  • Magnetic resonance phlebography (MR phlebography) – indicated for suspected abdominal/pelvic thrombi.