Pulmonary embolus imaging with multislice CT

Abstract

Multiple data support the concept that single-slice and multislice CT have fundamentally modified the diagnostic approach of patients with suspected PE. Although the definitive role of spiral CT angiography in the diagnostic algorithm has yet to be determined, it is clear that CT angiography has numerous advantages compared with other diagnostic tests. Bearing in mind that an effective diagnostic strategy should be as flexible as possible to be applied in every clinical setting, the role of spiral CT angiography in the diagnostic algorithm has to be considered among several practical parameters, such as the experience of the attending physician, degree of severity of the patient's clinical condition, the availability of diagnostic equipment, and specific logistics.