Non-traumatic thoracic emergencies: CT diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism: the first 10 years.
Over the past 10 years, spiral CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries has reached a high accuracy in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism. Major advantages of CT compared with ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy and pulmonary angiography is direct visualization of clots in the pulmonary arteries, and to provide alternative findings or diagnosis. The recent introduction of multislice CT has improved the evaluation of peripheral pulmonary arteries, enabling high-resolution CT examinations over the entire thorax in a short breathhold. The examination techniques, imaging findings, pitfalls, and results of CT in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism are reviewed in comparison with other diagnostic tests.
Ghaye
Benoit
B
Present address: Department of Medical Imaging, University Hospital Sart Tilman, Domaine Universitaire du Sart Tilman B35, 4000 Liege, Belgium. bghaye@chu.ulg.ac.be
Remy
Jacques
J
Remy-Jardin
Martine
M
D000792:Angiography; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media