Acute pulmonary embolism: epidemiologic and tomodensitometric study.
BACKGROUND
Acute pulmonary embolism is a common disease with substantial morbidity and mortality in untreated patients. It requires an urgent positive diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism and calculate the sensitivity and specificity of multidetector CT for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in a hospital specialized in cardio-thoracic diseases.


METHODS
This is a prospective study conducted at Abderrahmen Mami Hospital, which included 200 consecutive patients suspected of acute pulmonary embolism and explored by a multidetector CT pulmonary angiography (16 slices).


RESULTS
Prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism was calculated at 37.5%. The multidetector CT has enabled an alternative diagnosis in 46 patients (40%). The sensitivity and specificity of multidetector CT were calculated respectively 89.6% and 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism, in a hospital specialized in cardio-thoracic diseases, is higher than that found in general hospitals. High sensitivity and specificity of multidetector CT makes it the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
service d'imagerie médicale, Hôpital Abderrahmène Mami, Ariana, Tunisia.
Saoussen
S
Hantous-Zannad
Sonia
S
Esseghaier
Imène
I
Ridène
Asma
A
Zidi
Kais
K
Ben Romdhane
Inès
I
Baccouche
Jalila
J
Ben Khelil
Mohamed
M
Besbes
Khaoula
K
Ben Miled-M'rad
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology