Imaging Diagnosis of DVTs

Many problems can happen deep within your body without you even knowing what is happening. Thankfully, we now have the option to use diagnostic tools that can look beneath the surface of your skin and tell us exactly what is happening within your body. Ultrasound for DVT diagnosis is one such smart option, which is a safe non-invasive imaging modality.

What Are DVTs?

A DVT refers to a deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in a central blood vessel deep beneath the surface of your skin. Unlike the blood vessels that reside close to the surface of your skin, these deeper vessels are far more important to your circulation because they are generally wider and transport a large amount of blood throughout your body every day. Another concern with DVTs is that they could travel to other parts of your body. Most specifically, one could travel to your lungs, leading to a potentially life threatening condition known as a pulmonary embolism.  

Some symptoms of DVTs include pain and redness in the area, unexplained and sudden swelling in the area, and very warm or cold skin.

What Are Ultrasounds?

An ultrasound is a special type of medical diagnostic tool that uses special sound waves to look beneath the surface of your skin and show structures within your body. While it is most frequently known for its use on pregnant women, it can also be used in many other areas of the body to display organs, tissues, veins, and more.

An ultrasound is performed only on the surface of the skin. There is no need for an incision or for anesthesia as this is a painless procedure. A transducer will be placed on your skin and moved around to show surrounding structures. Cool gel may also be placed on your skin during the test to give the technician better pictures.

How Can Ultrasound Technology Be Used for DVT Diagnosis?

Ultrasound technology is particularly useful for the diagnosis of DVTs because it is a very fast and accessible option. Ultrasound accurately diagnoses whether or not there is a DVT. A duplex, or two-part, ultrasound is used. During the first part of the procedure, the ultrasound technology will show the blood vessels. In the second part of the procedure, the ultrasound will show blood flow or lack of blood flow due to a DVT in the vessels utilizing Doppler imaging techniques.

While DVTs can be dangerous if left untreated, The Radiology Clinic can provide you with a quick diagnosis using safe and noninvasive ultrasound technology. Once we have diagnosed your concerns, your doctor will be notified immediately with the results.  In cases of patients with DVTs, you can receive prompt same day diagnosis and therefore quicker treatment by choosing The Radiology Clinic as your imaging provider of choice. Because this diagnostic tool is incredibly accurate in the hands of our skilled vascular sonographers and radiologists, you can trust The Radiology Clinic to take care of you. Contact us today at The Radiology Clinic in Rockville to set up an appointment if you or your doctor are concerned by any symptoms that you have been experiencing to suspect a DVT.