Interobserver variation of angioscintigraphy for deep vein thrombosis

Abstract

Angioscintigrams of the deep veins in the legs were obtained in a consecutive series of 119 patients, suspected of deep vein thrombosis.

Two nuclear medicine specialists independently read the angioscintigrams for presence of focal-filling defects, increased tissue activity, or collaterals and gave a final diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. The overall agreement for the four findings were 0.83, 0.74,0.75, and 0.84, respectively. After adjusting the overall agreement for expected chance agreement, kappa values of 0.56, 0.47, 0.21, and 0.64 were obtained. The interobserver variation of the angioscintigraphic diagnosis for deep vein thrombosis is comparable to that of the radiographic phlebography. As the angioscintigraphic technique is almost without any risk and inconvenience to the patient, it constitutes a relevant diagnostic alternative in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Key words:

• angioscintigraphy
• deep vein thrombosis
• interobserver variation
• kappa coefficient