Combined use of rapid D-dimer testing and estimation of clinical probability in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis: systematic review

As radiologists we waste a lot of time unnecessarily scanning
patients for ?DVT who on clinical grounds alone clearly have other
conditions such as cellulitis, superficial thrombophlebitis or post
traumatic haematoma. Whenever possible we try to educate our junior (and
occasionally senior) clinical colleagues on the differences between these
conditions. It was therefore very depressing to see a large picture on the
cover of the BMJ, for a DVT article, showing pathology that is anything
but that condition. It may show a traumatic bruise or superficial
thrombophlebitis but DVT it ain't. In education pictures are just as
important as text!

Competing interests:
None declared