[Color Doppler echography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs].

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common and severe disease which can produce a pulmonary embolism as an acute consequence and post-phlebitic syndrome as a late complication. Since DVT symptoms and clinical features are almost no sensitive and specific, its diagnosis is usually achieved by instrumental exams. Until few years ago phlebography was considered the "gold standard" diagnostic test, although its invasivity prevented it from becoming routinely used in symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients.