[The diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism: a comparison between spiral CT and DSA in an animal experiment].

PURPOSE

The value of helical computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism was assessed and compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as a reference method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 11 dogs, lobar, segmental, and subsegmental occlusions of the pulmonary arteries were produced. Subsequent to selective pulmonary angiography, the animals were examined with contrast-enhanced helical CT.

RESULTS

In the main and lobar pulmonary arteries there was a complete correlation between CT and DSA in documentation of total and partial embolic occlusions. Identification of segmental and subsegmental pulmonary emboli by CT required a second run with optimized parameters in 7 of 11 cases. Nevertheless, 18% of the peripheral arteries could not be classified.

CONCLUSION

Helical CT as less invasive modality is competitive with DSA in demonstration of central pulmonary emboli. However, CT imaging of peripheral pulmonary emboli requires optimal bolus timing.