CT for thromboembolic disease.
CTPA has dramatically changed the diagnostic approach to PE in the last decade. The addition of CTV has created a single diagnostic test that can evaluate for both important components of venous thromboembolic disease. Newer, multislice scanners will provide thinner images and more complete anatomic coverage. Shorter scan times will minimize motion artifacts. These improvements may continue to improve the diagnostic yield of CTPA. The availability of an accurate noninvasive diagnostic tool to evaluate for PE and DVT should lead to a better understanding of the wide range of presentations of thromboembolic disease. The next decade may produce improvements in understanding of the epidemiology of PE and perhaps to a more tailored approach to treatment for thromboembolic disease.
Washington
Lacey
L
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226-3596, USA. lwash@mcw.edu
Goodman
Lawrence R
LR
Gonyo
Mary Beth
MB
D000208:Acute Disease; D016477:Artifacts; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*