We use from some years the doppler method for noninvasive measurements of venous pressure and about seven years ago we communicated the early results. We have confirmed the reliability and sensitivity of the method carrying on our clinical work. Now we report the results of a more extensive observation.
The authors have studied with a light reflection rheograph (LRR) 112 cases: 54 patients with suspected "thoracic outlet syndrome" (TOS) in the functional phase, 28 patients with phlebothrombosis localized in upper limbs, and a control group of 30 healthy subjects to evaluate the upper limbs' venous outlet. They recorded a good correlation among results obtained with LRR, clinical examination, Doppler, and phlebographic examination. The data obtained lead them to propose this methodology as an important examination in the evaluation of upper thoracic pathology.
The duplex scanner and color Doppler examination confirmed in all subjects the presence of an intrafascial hematoma in the gemellar zone; in 10 cases (41.7%), with more painful symptomatology, in a zone contiguous to the hemorrhage, we found a gemellar (six cases) or popliteal (four cases) phlebothrombosis. Lastly, we must point out that the syndrome is not always benign and that, therefore, a correct and more vigilant diagnostic and therapeutic approach is necessary.
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