Multi-detector computed tomographic pulmonary angiography in the evaluation of acute pulmonary thromboembolism

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition with remarkable morbidity and mortality. The rapid and accurate diagnosis is important because the mortality of untreated PE is high and complications can occur with long-term anticoagulant treatment. As signs or symptoms are not specific for this condition, the diagnosis is largely based on imaging tests. Since the introduction of Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) technology with high spatial and temporal resolution MDCT-Pulmonary Angiography (MDCTPA) has become the imaging method of choice for imaging lung vessels when PE is suspected.