Emergency ultrasound diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in the pediatric emergency department: a case series

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Jan;28(1):90-5. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31823f6027.

Abstract

The diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) has traditionally been limited to examinations by radiologists and ultrasound technicians. Although contrast venography is considered the criterion standard for diagnosis of DVT, time, personnel, cost, exposure to radiation, and the invasive nature of the study (need for venous access) potentially limit the ability to perform the study in an emergent setting. Ultrasonography is an alternative method for thrombus detection and is widely preferred. However, in many health care settings, consultative ultrasound services may not be available immediately, especially after hours and on weekends. Based on recent studies demonstrating accuracy in adult patients, emergency sonographic evaluation of DVT by emergency physicians is considered a core emergency ultrasound application and is recently recommended as standard training to all emergency medicine residents. The diagnosis of DVT in children by emergency ultrasound in the pediatric ED has not been previously described. We present 3 cases of DVT in adolescents identified by emergency ultrasound evaluation in the pediatric ED.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Activated Protein C Resistance / complications
  • Adolescent
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Emergencies*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Factor V / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Menorrhagia / etiology
  • Multiple Trauma
  • Neck Injuries / complications
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Pediatrics*
  • Popliteal Vein / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thrombophilia / complications*
  • Thrombophilia / genetics
  • Thrombophlebitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombophlebitis / drug therapy
  • Thrombophlebitis / etiology
  • Ultrasonography
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • factor V Leiden
  • Factor V