Spiral CT appearance of resolving clots at 6 week follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work is to describe the spiral CT appearance of resolving clots at 6 week follow-up in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).


METHODS
Nineteen patients with acute PE initially identified with spiral CT scan underwent repeat CT examinations at 6 week follow-up after the start of anticoagulant therapy. The appearances of the clots on the initial CT scan and follow-up CT scan were analyzed.


RESULTS
Normalization of the pulmonary arteries at follow-up was seen in six patients (32%) only. Residual abnormalities were present in 13 of 19 patients (68%). Resolving clots were seen as eccentric wall-adherent filling defects (22%) or filling defects with central contrast material (3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Resolving clots after acute PE can be seen with follow-up CT scan in the majority of patients. It is important to be familiar with these findings.
Van Rossum
A B
AB
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands.
Pattynama
P M
PM
Tjin A Ton
E
E
Kieft
G J
GJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D003287:Contrast Media; D006493:Heparin