Full Answer
It is helpful to recognize that acute DVT is usually occlusive, not echogenic, and it tends to be continuous. If the ultrasound reveals thrombosis that is echogenic, nonocclusive or discontinuous, then chronic DVT should be considered. Serial testing or venography can help to clarify the issue.
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the muscular venous branches within the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles is an important finding sometimes first seen with MR imaging. DVT of these muscular veins can be associated with minor trauma to the lower extremity and is often not clinically suspected.
An incomplete occlusion indicates that there is some flow of blood around the clot, and whether that flow could dislodge the clot. Conversely, a completely occlusive clot may indicate a higher thrombus load and thus confer a higher risk of PE.
According to the nomenclature of veins of the lower limb [4], soleal and gastrocnemius veins are included in the deep venous system (Figure 1). Thus, it is accepted that DVT and ISGDVT have similar risk factors.
The calf deep veins also include 2 groups of muscle veins: the soleal muscle veins, which are connected with the posterior tibial or peroneal veins, and the gastrocnemius muscle veins that drain into the popliteal vein.
calfThe main muscles in the calf are: Gastrocnemius: This muscle is just under your skin at the back of the lower leg. Because the gastrocnemius is close to the skin's surface, you can often see its outline. It forms the bulk of your calf muscle.
Medical Definition of nonocclusive : not causing or characterized by occlusion nonocclusive mesenteric infarction.
Summary. A thrombus is a blood clot, and thrombosis is the formation of a clot that reduces blood flow. An embolus is any foreign material that moves with blood flow.
Typically, an acute DVT is considered a new thrombosis that requires the initiation of anticoagulant therapy. A chronic DVT is an old or previously diagnosed thrombus that requires continuation of anticoagulation therapy.
Our study shows that number of the gastrocnemius veins varies from 2 to 12 per muscle head. Our findings contrast with many reports in which the smallest number of trunks was one and the maximum was six.
The two heads of the muscle form the lower boundaries of the popliteal fossa. The gastrocnemius muscle is superficial, can be easily seen and can be touched on the back of your lower leg.
The gastrocnemius veins are paired with an artery and they drain into the popliteal vein. The soleal sinuses do not have arteries that accompany them and vary in size and extent. They drain into the posterior tibial veins and the peroneal veins.