PMID: 8966276Jul 1, 1996Paper

Pulmonary thromboembolism and diagnostic imaging: integration of techniques and methods

La Radiologia medica
G MacisP Marano

Abstract

Thromboembolism is presently the third most frequent cardiovascular disease, with an incidence of deep venous thrombosis of 800,000 cases a year in the USA. The clinical diagnosis of the condition is difficult and noninvasive procedures are poorly reliable, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis appropriate in the patient with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Color-Doppler US is now replacing phlebography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Proximal deep venous thrombosis is always at high risk for embolism (50%). Isolated calf thrombi may spread into proximal veins and thus cause severe embolism. Therefore, the early detection of thrombus site and extent and a timely treatment before embolism are of the utmost importance. Color-Doppler US is a noninvasive technique which can show deep venous thrombosis with 95% sensitivity in the proximal and 55% sensitivity in the distal districts in asymptomatic patients. This examination must be used not only to confirm a diagnostic suspicion of deep venous thrombosis, but also to screen high-risk patient and to monitor distal thrombosis. In the secondary prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism, the radiologist must perform a mechanical interruption of i...Continue Reading

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