Digital venography of the lower extremity

A digital 33-cm fluoroscopic system equipped with conventional spot-film and digital or video hard-copy capabilities was evaluated for its usefulness in diagnosing deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities. The impact of different fluoroscopic field sizes, spatial resolution, and contrast variance was measured by using phantoms. The results indicate that the physical characteristics of the digital system are acceptable for lower-extremity venography. Digital fluoroscopic hard copy was compared with conventional spot films in 22 examinations. The digital examinations were as accurate as the conventional examinations. Procedure time, exposure to radiation, film costs, and repeated injections of contrast medium because of errors in exposure were reduced with the digital method. The need for extra technologists was eliminated. The advantages of digital radiographic displays, postprocessing, storage, and transmission were maximized. Digital fluoroscopic examinations were as accurate as conventional spot films and were found to have many advantages.