CTICasesSuboptimal CT pulmonary angiography demonstrating acute pulmonary embolism
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