[Chronic pulmonary embolism--radiological imaging and differential diagnosis]

E Coppenrath; P Herzog; U Attenberger; M Reiser

doi:10.1007/s00117-007-1531-7

[Chronic pulmonary embolism--radiological imaging and differential diagnosis]

Radiologe. 2007 Aug;47(8):691-7. doi: 10.1007/s00117-007-1531-7.

[Article in German]

Authors

E Coppenrath¹, P Herzog, U Attenberger, M Reiser

Affiliation

¹ Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum Innenstadt der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336 Munich, Germany. [email protected]

PMID: 17624509
DOI: 10.1007/s00117-007-1531-7

Abstract

In chronic pulmonary embolism branches of the pulmonary arterial tree remain partially or totally occluded. This may lead to pulmonary hypertension with the development of right ventricular hypertrophy as well as structural changes of pulmonary arteries. Imaging of chronic pulmonary embolism should prove vessel occlusions (pulmonary angiography, MSCT, MRI) and reduction of regional lung perfusion (lung scanning, MSCT, MRI). According to current guidelines ventilation-perfusion lung scanning and pulmonary angiography are still recommended as the methods of choice. MSCT and MRI provide technical alternatives which are helpful in differential diagnosis versus other types of pulmonary hypertension. In spite of medical and surgical measures (in rare cases pulmonary thromboendarterectomy) the prognosis of chronic pulmonary embolism remains unfavourable.

Publication types

English Abstract
Review

MeSH terms

Angiography / methods*
Chronic Disease
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*