Evaluation of the diagnostic value of a venous phase in CT angiography of the extremities in the setting of trauma: is vein imaging in vain?

Purpose: This study examined the value of including a venous phase in addition to the initial arterial phase in the CT angiography evaluation of extremity trauma.

Methods: CT studies from 157 patients (average age 38 years, age range 18-89 years, male 83%, female 17%) were obtained for trauma to the upper or lower extremity with both arterial and venous phases and retrospectively reviewed. The detection rate and type of vascular injury were evaluated by using the arterial phase alone and compared to the detection rate when interpreting the arterial and venous phases together.