title: Helical CT for the evaluation of suspected acute pulmonary embolism: diagnostic pitfalls.
abstract: Helical CT is being increasingly utilized for the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Proper scan interpretation depends on the awareness of several diagnostic pitfalls that may simulate PE, including normal bronchovascular structures such as pulmonary veins, bronchi, and lymph nodes, technical considerations such as improper bolus timing and streak artifacts, and patient-related factors such as motion artifacts, pulmonary arterial catheters, and vascular shunts. An understanding of these pitfalls facilitates accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gotway
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D016477:Artifacts; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006343:Heart Septal Defects / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009068:Movement; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media