Pulmonary embolism imaging.

Abstract

Sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a decreased oxygen level in the blood can be signs that a patient is experiencing a pulmonary embolic episode; however, a great many other conditions also can cause these signs and symptoms. If left undiagnosed and untreated, pulmonary embolism can be potentially fatal. This article describes types of medical imaging used to evaluate possible pulmonary embolism, including conventional chest radiographs, spiral computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine lung ventilation and perfusion imaging.