Imaging findings and interventional management of deep venous thrombosis

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a subtype of venous thromboembolism. Lower extremity DVT affects about 1-2% of hospitalized patients. If not managed properly, these thrombi can embolize, causing further complications. Thrombosis risk factors include vascular endothelial injury, venous stasis, and hypercoagulability states. This triad is also known as Virchow’s triad. Although clinical features of lower extremity DVT are nonspecific and many patients are asymptomatic, physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with leg swelling, pain, warmth, and erythema. Several diagnostic approaches for suspected first DVT have been proposed, and management depends on multiple factors such as location, duration of symptoms, cause of the thrombosis, and recurrence rate.