Helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease: Case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Appropriate therapy requires timely diagnosis, but currently available noninvasive modalities lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. In particular, the vast majority of ventilation-perfusion scans are unable to confirm or reliably exclude PE, cannot differentiate acute from chronic PE, and do not provide clues to possible alternative explanations of the patient's presenting symptoms (even if PE can be excluded). The case presented here illustrates the potential utility of two new noninvasive tests for PE, magnetic resonance imaging and helical computed tomography. In addition, the available literature on these modalities with emphasis on their clinical accuracy and limitations is reviewed.

Duke Scholars

Author Charles Edward Spritzer Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging

Author Thomas Lee Ortel Medicine, Hematology