The value of incontrast enhancement helical CT in diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolic disease

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of helical CT study in pulmonary thromboembolism with analysis on signs of plain CT images in particular.Method A retrospective analysis was made on 21 cases,whose data were studied previously with helical CT plain scanning.Results In all of the 21 cases there were positive findings on CT images(sensitivity,100%).Among them,7 cases were diagnosed correctly;9 cases were misdiagnosed as pleural effusion plus pneumonia;3 pleural effusion;1 organized pneumonia and 1 peripheral lung cancer.Conclusion Strong evidence of the disease can be given even with plain CT studies.The procedure is simple,safe and reliable.If CT is available at the hospital,it should be the first choice in the study provided that the disease is suspected.We should never put undue stress on the findings of a plain chest film.