A comparison between phlebography, radioisotope venography, and ^99mTc Urokinase scintigraphy for the detection of deep vein thrombosis

Abstract

In a series of patients suspected for deep vein thrombosis a comparison was made between phlebography, radioisotope venography with the aid of ^99mTc labeled macroaggregates, and ^99mTc Urokinase scintigraphy. A good degree of correlation was found between all three techniques, although ^99mTc Urokinase tended to localize somewhat aspecifically in the vessels around the thrombosis. It was concluded that the technique of choice was radioisotope venography using ^99mTc macroaggregates (RIV). With this technique both the circulating disturbances and the precise localisation of thrombi (as hot spots) could be demonstrated, thus providing the information to be obtained from phlebography and Urokinase scintigraphy in one simple study. An additional advantage of radioisotope venography (RIV) is that a lung scintigram can also be made. A significant number of patients with signs of deep vein thrombosis also showed positive lung scintigrams.