Preliminary Diagnosis: Thrombophlebitis
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis
-
CTA/CTV of the structure of interest.
II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of thrombophlebitis.
Advantages
-
Offers exquisite detail of the underlying vascular structures and helps delineate and characterize inflammation, clot, or other vascular irregularity.
-
Highly sensitive and specific in detailing and diagnosing a primary pathological process and characterizing any secondary complications.
Continue Reading
Disadvantages
-
Exposes patients to ionizing radiation.
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
-
May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.
-
Relative contraindication to intravenous contrast in patients with renal failure or contrast allergy
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
-
MRA/MRV imaging.
V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis of thrombophlebitis.
MRA/MRV imaging
Advantages
-
Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.
-
May be performed without contrast per time-of-flight protocol.
Disadvantages
-
Expensive
-
Time-consuming
-
Less sensitive and specific in detecting and diagnosing a vascular abnormality compared with CT imaging.
-
May be subject to motion artifact, susceptibility-weighted artifact, and flow-related artifact.
-
Less adept in detailing the surrounding anatomical structures.
-
Less sensitive and specific in detailing any secondary complications.
VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
MRA/MRV imaging
-
Contraindicated in patients with non-MR compatible hardware.
Copyright © 2017, 2013 Decision Support in Medicine, LLC. All rights reserved.
No sponsor or advertiser has participated in, approved or paid for the content provided by Decision Support in Medicine LLC. The Licensed Content is the property of and copyrighted by DSM.
