Screening of extravascular findings in pulmonary embolism computer tomography: 397 patients with 1950 non-pulmonary artery findings

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible benefits from computed tomography scans of patients with a suspected pulmonary artery embolism with a focus on relevant extravascular findings. Methods: A total of 400 consecutive computed tomography pulmonary angiographies were evaluated. Computed tomography scans were analyzed in detail for the presence of pulmonary artery embolisms, as well as any other findings. Extra-artery discoveries were classified into none-relevant (Group A), intermediate (Group B), or relevant (Group C) findings. Results: Aggregated computed tomography pulmonary angiographies detected other diagnosis than pulmonary artery embolism in 236 patients (59%). There were 1950 non-pulmonary artery embolism findings (4.9 per patient; n = 397). In the pulmonary artery embolism group, there were 447 extra-pulmonary artery embolism findings (5.2 per patient; n = 86) and in the non-pulmonary artery embolism group, 1503 findings (4.8 per patient; n = 311). Patients with pulmonary artery embolism had a significantly higher rate of pro-coagulate risk factors (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Computed tomography pulmonary angiographies may help to identify further diagnoses. This study represents a retrospective review of a single center experience for incidental computed tomography findings during pulmonary artery embolism work-up and emphasizes the importance of analyzing the whole field-of-view.