Diagnostic criteria and causes of misdiagnosis in CT angiography of pulmonary embolism / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Computed tomographic(CT) pulmonary angiography is becoming the standard of care for the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.This pathologic condition,whether acute or chronic,causes both partial and complete intraluminal filling defects.In acute pulmonary embolism that manifests as complet arterial occlusion,the affected artery may be enlarged.Partial filling defects due to acute pulmonary embolism are often centrally located,but when eccentrically located they form acute angles with the vessel wall.Chronic pulmonary embolism can manifest as complete occlusive disease in vessels that are smaller than adjacent patent vessels.In this article,the author described the technique of CT pulmonary angiography,diagnostic criteria for acute and chronic pulmonary embolism,and causes of misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism.