Colour Doppler vs compression ultrasound as diagnostic modality for acute venous thromboembolism in patient with proximal femur fracture

Introduction: This research is a comparative study between colour Doppler and compression ultrasound, used as diagnostic modalities for diagnosing DVT in patients with proximal femur fracture. Material and Methods: It was a prospective study conducted over a period of one and a half years. Cases under study were patients with isolated proximal femur fracture. All the patients were evaluated by colour Doppler and compression ultrasound. CT Angiography was used whenever required and not as routine modality. Post-operative monitoring of the patients was done for 8 weeks. Results: A total of 70 patients were assessed. The mean age group was 50 years, with 60% being males and 40% females. There were 10 cases of DVT diagnosed radiologically. Out of these 10 cases diagnosed, 9 cases were diagnosed positive by the colour Doppler method and 8 by the compression ultrasound. One case was diagnosed by CT Venography. There was complete resolution of DVT in all the patients who were diagnosed positive for DVT. It was confirmed by colour Doppler at 8 weeks post diagnosis. Conclusion: DVT is a serious complication if untreated. Previous studies showing lesser efficacy of colour Doppler as compared to compression ultrasound does not hold true. Cases diagnosed by colour Doppler are at par with compression ultrasound. So we can use colour Doppler as screening modality with the added benefit of visualization of thrombus resolution