[Spiral compter tomography in acute pulmonary embolism].

13 patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism were assessed by means of contrast-enhanced spiral volumetric computed tomography (CT). Our experience is already so positive that we wish to focus on this method. Spiral CT gives an exact diagnosis in many cases where perfusion scintigraphy is uncertain. In our opinion spiral CT can be reliably used in patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism, and appears to offer an alternative to scintigraphy and pulmonary angiography.