Computed tomography of pulmonary thromboembolism

Twenty-one consecutive cases of clinically suspected pulmonary thromboembolism were investigated by radiographic studies, isotopic lung scans and computed tomography. As early as 1976 in 17 of 21 cases morphological details were found not recognizable on lung radiographs but visualized on CT scans. This included peripheral changes (e.g. wedge-shaped densities with its broad base against a peripheral pleural surface and with its tip pointing to the parahilar area) suggesting pulmonary infarction and central defects consistent with central embolic masses or thrombi in pulmonary arteries of 1sup(st) through 3sup(rd) order. This material is unique since it-to our best knowledge-represents the first indirect and direct visualization of pulmonary thromboembolism and infarction made by CT. (orig.)