Keywords:
Extremities, Vascular, Ultrasound, Complications, Diagnostic procedure, Embolism / Thrombosis
Authors:
G. mehdipoor1, A. Arjmand Shabestari1, G. Y. Lip2, B. Bikdeli3; 1Tehran/IR, 2Birmingham/UK, 3New Haven/US
Conclusion
Clot dislodgment following ultrasonographic assessment of extremities for DVT can lead into PE and may have fatal outcomes.
In our study,
all PEs occurred following ultrasound evaluation for lower extremity DVT.
Interestingly,
we identified multiple reports that claimed to have discussed clot embolization following ultrasonography for the first time (8-12),
a finding that speaks of under-recognition of this phenomenon,
even among clinicians who had suspected or faced it.
Clinicians and radiologists should be cognizant of embolization if a previously visualized clot disappears during ultrasonographic assessment.
Until prospective studies determine the true incidence and risk factors of clot embolization following lower extremity ultrasound studies,
it might be prudent to avoid excessive pressure for ultrasonographic studies of patients with suspected DVT and to avoid compression or augmentation maneuvers if the thrombus is already visualized on two-dimensional ultrasonography.