Non-invasive imaging in the investigation of deep vein thrombosisin pregnancy

摘要

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition which can becomplicated by the development of pulmonary embolism, which has a highmortality and morbidity. There is an increased incidence of deep veinthrombosis in pregnant patients. Effective treatment of DVT byanticoagulation dramatically decreases the risk of pulmonary embolism,but poses risks of its own, particularly in pregnancy, and should not beundertaken without a confirmed diagnosis. Thermal imaging is quick,simple, non-invasive, risk-free, cost-effective and highly sensitive inthe initial investigation of suspected DVT; a negative thermogramexcludes DVT and avoids the necessity for further investigation. Thermalimaging is, however, non-specific; a positive thermogram has a number ofpossible causes and is an indication for further assessment byvenography or Doppler ultrasound to confirm or exclude DVT. Thermographyshould be considered the initial investigation of choice in clinicallysuspected DVT in pregnancy, proceeding to venography or Dopplerultrasound only when thermography is positive