Last week, Health Friday took us to know “venous thromboembolism”, a dangerous condition that should be known (part 1), but today there

Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

Early diagnosis of venous thromboembolism

It's quite difficult.

and complicated

Because the patient may not yet show symptoms.

Or is it a non-specific symptom such as leg pain or swollen legs, chest pain?

or difficulty breathing

which may not be caused by thrombosis

Incorrect or late treatment clearly increases the incidence of pathological and dangerous conditions in patients with venous thromboembolism.

Detecting deep vein thrombosis

The doctor will rely on history taking about risk factors and symptoms.

together with physical examination, including swelling, risk of venous thrombosis

If signs and symptoms are present, there are risk factors.

including physical examination results

This may be caused by venous thrombosis.

The doctor will advise you to undergo additional tests, including ultrasound examination.

Blood tests for D-dimer levels, computerized tomography (CT scan), or magnetic tomography (MRI) to confirm deep vein thrombosis and its location

Investigation of patients suspected of having venous thrombosis

Correct diagnosis of venous thromboembolism

It will reduce the patient's risk of complications.

which is caused by the blockage of blood clots in the veins

or the release of a blood clot to block the blood vessels in the lungs

And it puts patients who don't have this condition at risk of complications from taking anticoagulants.

The diagnosis of venous thromboembolism requires history taking along with various methods of examination.

Finding venous thrombosis in the early stages by various methods

It will reduce the mortality rate of patients with pulmonary embolism.

1. Venous X-ray recording

It is the standard for diagnosing thromboembolic deep vein thrombosis and

It is considered the standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Examination of both venous tomography and pulmonary artery tomography

A contrast medium must be injected into the patient's blood vessel.

to examine the obstruction site, which is

causing the possibility of complications from the examination

and costly

which is an important limitation

therefore not commonly used

And efforts are being made to find better and safer tests instead.

2. Ultrasound examination

ultrasound examination

to diagnose

or differential diagnosis of venous thrombosis

Used in conjunction with the evaluation by a physician based on symptoms or signs obtained from history taking and physical examination.

It's a safer test.

But requires a doctor with expertise.

3. Blood test

People with deep vein thrombosis

There will be a level of a substance called "dimer" increased in the blood.

A blood test for D-dimer levels is useful in diagnosing patients with deep vein thrombosis.

or to determine if the risk of recurrence of deep vein thrombosis

4. Computed tomography (CT scan)

Or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) can show the blood vessels to see the blood vessels.

and shows the area of ​​thrombosis

Next week there will be a story on treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism.

Let's wait and follow.

source of information

People's Knowledge Manual

by

, Department of Surgery

Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital

Mahidol University