[Is computed tomographic venography of lower limbs useful in suspected pulmonary embolism?].
Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in diagnostic strategies for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). As single-slice computed tomography has a limited sensitivity of about 70%, it has to be used in association with lower limbs veins compression ultrasonography (CUS). To improve the test, it has been proposed to add lower extremity CT venography to visualise lower limbs veins. Diagnostic performances of CT venous angiography and CUS have never been compared and there is no published well conducted study suggesting that adding CT venous angiography is useful. Recent studies have confirmed that CUS is no more mandatory when using the recent sensitive multi-slice computed tomography. These data limit the potential use of CT venography of the lower limbs veins in patients with suspected PE.
Le Gal
Grégoire
G
Division d'angiologie et d'hémostase HUG, 1211 Genève 14.
Righini
Marc
M
D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed