Role of CTA versus CT or PET/CT in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolus – pro

Whereas CTA has been found to be more sensitive, and some claim too sensitive for routine use, than VQ scans, it has not been compared to PET/CT and it is not known how CTA should be used for patients with negative PET/CT. Farthermore, CTA often reveals other diagnosis and the usefullness of PET/CT is unclear if CTA would anyway be used. There is, therefore no medical necessity to perform both studies together.

Task Force on Pulmonary Embolism, ESoC (2000). Guidelines on diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. Eur Heart J 21: 1301-36.
Silverstein, MD, Heit, JA, Mohr, DN, Petterson, TM, O’Fallon, WM and Melton, LJ, 3rd (1998). Trends in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a 25-year population-based study. Arch Intern Med 158: 585-93.

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