CTICasesSuboptimal CT pulmonary angiography demonstrating acute pulmonary embolism
[...]. Suboptimal CT pulmonary angiography demonstrating acute pulmonary embolism. CTICases. Published January 4, 2019. https://cticases.com/c/a4d26
Imaging findings
Chest CT from an abdomen and pelvis study with suboptimal pulmonary arterial contrast opacification (approximately 103 HU) clearly demonstrates acute, low-attenuation filling defects in both pulmonary arteries, which were confirmed on a dedicated CT pulmonary angiogram obtained a month later.
Key takeaways
Although standard guidelines often require a contrast opacification threshold of 150-250 HU to rule out pulmonary embolism, acute PE can still be reliably identified on suboptimal scans with attenuation as low as 100 HU, especially on motion-free studies.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Recurrent marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALTNeoplastic
- Primary pulmonary marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALTNeoplastic
- Metastatic breast cancer presenting as malignant pleural effusionNeoplastic
- Birt-Hogg-Dube syndromeCongenital
- Partially extravasated triple-lumen central venous catheterIatrogenic
- Superior vena cava diverticulumCongenital
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis with severe lymphadenopathyAutoimmune
- Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleuraNeoplastic
See all cases from January 4, 2019 →
Related Vascular cases
- Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm
- Left superior intercostal vein dilation from venous thrombosis
- Type A aortic dissection with valve prolapse
- Dilated coronary sinus associated with pulmonary hypertension
- Stanford Type A aortic dissection originating from penetrating ulcer
- Brachiocephalic artery pseudotumor