Document Detail


Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with use of computed tomographic angiography.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11155414     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnostic problem, particularly in hospitalized patients. It remains a frequent cause of unexpected deaths. Traditionally, the diagnostic work-up for suspected PE has centered on the use of ventilation-perfusion (V-P) radionuclide lung scanning. However, V-P scanning does not provide adequate confirmation or exclusion of the diagnosis in the majority of patients who undergo this test. Although published guidelines advise further diagnostic testing after nondiagnostic V-P scans, clinicians infrequently perform such testing, and management decisions are commonly based on clinical judgment. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected PE. Although there are unresolved issues regarding its sensitivity in detecting small peripheral emboli, CT angiography is more accurate than V-P scanning in the diagnosis of PE and yields other intrathoracic diagnoses. Herein we summarize the problems with the traditional approach centered on the use of V-P scanning in the diagnosis of PE and propose an alternative diagnostic strategy based primarily on the use of CT angiography.
Authors:
J H Ryu; S J Swensen; E J Olson; P A Pellikka
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Mayo Clinic proceedings. Mayo Clinic     Volume:  76     ISSN:  0025-6196     ISO Abbreviation:  Mayo Clin. Proc.     Publication Date:  2001 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-01-11     Completed Date:  2001-01-25     Revised Date:  2007-10-29    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0405543     Medline TA:  Mayo Clin Proc     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  59-65     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Angiography / methods*
Humans
Pulmonary Embolism / radiography*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
Venous Thrombosis / radiography
Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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