Acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb is a common and threatening condition whose clinical diagnosis is known to be unreliable. Ultrasonography (US) has gradually superseded venography as the primary diagnostic procedure. Nevertheless, there are still several controversies. In this study, we attempt to address the US detection and characterization of DVT. We prospectively evaluated 121 patients referred to the ultrasound section for the clinical suspicion of DVT within 24 months. Each patient underwent standard compression US, venous color Doppler (CDU) and spectral Doppler US (SDU) examination. Various augamentation maneuvers were applied to enhance the detection rate. A total of 43 patients were diagnosed to have DVT. Our results show that 1. augamentation maneuver with Valsalva method could not improve the diagnostic rate; 2. compression augamentation CDU would help in depiction of DVT, especially the proximal compression augamentation methods with CDU. This could significantly increase the diagnostic rate in the evaluation of popliteal and trifurcation region, the hypoechoic thrombus was better demonstrated. The trifurcation thrombus was diagnosed from 3 (with compression US only) to 7 (with both compression US and augamentation methods), the diagnostic rate were improved for 56%. For popliteal thrombosis, 8 among 29 were better depicted; 3. if only compression US was applied in the evaluation of popliteal and calf regions, the diagnostic rate decreased for 26%. It is therefore concluded that compression US is not a reliable diagnostic methods, proper augamentation methods should be used to improve the diagnostic rate in popliteal and trifurcation regions.