Ultrasonography of the lower limbs for deep vein thrombosis at the University Hospital of the West Indies. A five-year analysis.

A study was conducted on all patients referred to the ultrasound service of the radiology department of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, for evaluation of a clinical diagnosis of thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower limb, during the period January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1999. The calf veins were not routinely examined; this study was limited to the popliteal, superficial and deep femoral veins. Two hundred and seventy-four females and 104 males were referred. Seventy females and 32 males had ultrasound findings of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The significant findings were that the male:female ratio for confirmed DVT was approximately 1:2; 26% of referrals had DVT on ultrasound; DVT was more common on the left and the popliteal vein (48%) and the superficial femoral vein (47%) accounted for most documented cases of DVT but thrombosis of the profunda femoral vein was unusual accounting for only 5% of cases.