INTRODUCTION Several outcome studies have ruled out acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by normal computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). We performed a meta-analysis in order to determine the safety of this strategy in a specific group of patients with a strict indication for CTPA, that is, 'likely' or 'high' clinical probability for PE, an elevated D-dimer concentration, or both. METHOD...

OBJECTIVE To assess the current level of knowledge and practice patterns of emergency physicians regarding radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging modalities for investigating acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS An online survey was sent to adult emergency physicians working at two academic tertiary care adult emergency departments (EDs) to determine imaging choices for investigating PE...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the interobserver agreement (IOA) between the initial radiology resident and the final staff radiologist reports of combined computed tomographic pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) and computed tomographic venograms (CTV) performed during on-call hours. MATERIALS AND METHODS Approval by the institutional review board was obtained. Six-hundred and ninety-six consecutive studies...

BACKGROUND The requirement of postoperative bedridden and immobilization renders neurosurgical patients with higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), then more vulnerable for pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). But silent pulmonary thromboembolism (SPTE) can be the very early stage of any typical form of PTE, its diagnosis and management is therefore critical in neurosurgical departments. Howeve...

This article discusses a hot topic on double low-dose protocol of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, with a special focus on a recent paper published in the British Journal of Radiology about the feasibility of this technique. Three aspects will be discussed in this review: First, both kVp and contrast medium can be reduced without affecting...

The decision to perform computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in orthopedic trauma patients is challenging. The Wells score is a commonly used clinical probability tool developed to determine the likelihood of PE and assist in determining the need for CTPA examination. This study evaluated the usefulness of the Wells score for predicting PE in pati...

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether fast grading of reflux of contrast to the inferior vena cava (IVC) on computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a potential biomarker for real-time risk stratification. METHODS We retrospectively identified 343 patients investigated for possible pulmonary embolism (PE) by CTPA at our medical center between September 2004 and March 2006. A total ...

BACKGROUND The use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has been increased during the last decade. OBJECTIVES We studied the adherence to current diagnostic recommendations for evaluation of pulmonary embolism in a teaching hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. PATIENTS AND METHODS The registered medical records (Wells scores and serum D-dimer level) of all patie...

BACKGROUND Relatively little is known about prognosis in patients for whom suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is refuted by imaging. AIM This prospective study of suspected PE therefore compared clinico-radiological features and outcome in patients with and without PE. DESIGN AND METHODS Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) confirmed or refuted PE in consecutive patients. Clinic...