Does addition of CT pelvic venography to CT pulmonary angiography protocols contribute to the diagnosis of thromboembolic disease?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the contribution which addition of pelvic computed tomography venography (CTV) to a standard CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) imaging protocol makes to a definitive diagnosis of thromboembolic disease.


METHODS
One hundred and six consecutive patients over the age of 55 years referred for (CTPA) for suspected pulmonary embolism between June and November 1999 had pelvic CTV performed at the time of the CTPA study.


RESULTS
Ninety-six of 106 CTPA studies were technically adequate. In total, 29/96 (29.6%) CTPA studies were positive for pulmonary embolism, 10/96 (10.4%) CTV studies were positive and five of these 10 examinations showed venous thrombus when the CTPA study was negative (n = 4) or equivocal (n = 1).


CONCLUSIONS
Addition of CTV shows residual thrombus in the pelvis in a proportion of patients with positive CTPA studies and demonstrates venous thrombus in a small number of patients with no CT evidence of pulmonary embolism.
Walsh
Geraldine
G
Division of Medical Imaging, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. cgwalsh@ozemail.com.au
Redmond
Stanley
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply*; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*