[Calf muscle venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism].
Résumé
INTRODUCTION: The clinical significance of calf muscle venous thrombosis (CMVT) still remains a matter of debate. Detected by ultrasonography, they are overlooked by venography. This prompted us to evaluate the frequency of such localizations and their association to pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Retrospective review of our database over a three-year period. All patients with an isolated CMVT were included. RESULTS: Isolated CMVT were detected in 106 patients (mean age 68.6 years; 65% women), that is 12.5% of all venous thromboses diagnosed in the vascular sonography unit over the study period Sixteen associated PE were detected (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Association of CMVT and PE is not infrequent. Whether or not such thromboses have the potential to extend into deep veins and/or to migrate into pulmonary circulation requires further studies.