Incremental Value of CT Venography Combined With Pulmonary CT Angiography for the Detection of Thromboembolic Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011 May;196(5):1065-1072
Authors: Krishan S, Pandiratne N, Verma R, Robertson R
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the incremental role of CT venography (CTV) combined with pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) in detecting venous thromboembolic disease with a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for relevant original articles published from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2009. A random-effects model was used to obtain the incremental value of CTV in detecting thromboembolic disease. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies, which included 17,373 patients, met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis showed that CTV increased detection rates of venous thromboembolic disease by identifying an additional 3% of cases (95% CI, 2-4%) of isolated deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A subgroup analysis of a high-risk group did not show any difference in the detection of isolated DVT. CONCLUSION: The addition of CTV results in the increased detection of thromboembolic disease. CTV combined with pulmonary CTA has a promising role as a quick and efficient test for venous thromboembolism.
PMID: 21512072 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]