An unexpectedly high rate of pulmonary embolism in patients with superficial thrombophlebitis of the thigh

Purpose: The rate of objectively proven pulmonary embolism in patients with thrombophlebitis of the greater saphenous vein was studied. Methods: Consecutive ambulant patients with thrombophlebitis of the greater saphenous vein, involving the above-knee segment, underwent a complete venous echo color Doppler examination of the lower limbs, perfusion lung scanning, and chest radiography. A high probability of pulmonary embolism was defined as the...