Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Isolated Calf Vein Thrombosis in a Large Teaching Hospital

Abstract EN

Objective.

To identify the clinical characteristics of a patient population newly diagnosed with acute isolated calf deep venous thrombosis (ICDVT) by duplex ultrasound scan (DUS).

Methods.

A retrospective review of the records of 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with ICDVT by DUS was conducted.

Results.

Patients (59% male) were predominantly Caucasian (86%) and inpatients (69%) with an average age of 53 years.

The most frequent risk factors were malignancy (22%), immobility (18%), and previous DVT (13%).

Thrombus was present in named tibial veins in 58% and muscular branches in 42%.

The peroneal vein was most frequently involved (39/117, 33%) followed by the gastrocnemius veins (29/117, 22%) and muscular calf tributaries (14%).

Conclusions.

Our patient population with ICDVT was predominantly symptomatic, in-patient cohort with a high incidence of risk factors such as malignancy, immobility, previous DVT, trauma, and postoperative status.

Partial or complete resolution was documented by DUS in 53%.