Extension of saphenous thrombophlebitis into the femoral vein: demonstration by color flow compression sonography.

Five cases are presented in which compression and color flow sonography were used to diagnose extension of superficial saphenous thrombophlebitis into the deep system at the saphenofemoral junction. In one case thrombus originated in the calf, demonstrating an unusual mode of propagation into the deep venous system above the knee. Color Doppler imaging is especially helpful in diagnosing this complication of superficial thrombophlebitis.