Clinical consequences of an indeterminate CT pulmonary angiogram in cancer patients

Clin Imaging. 2014 Sep-Oct;38(5):637-40. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2014.04.015. Epub 2014 May 6.

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate clinical management and outcomes in cancer patients who had an indeterminate Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA) for the assessment of pulmonary embolus. We reviewed 1000 CTPA studies and identified 251 limited (indeterminate) CTPA. We examined follow-up imaging and reviewed clinical management decisions and any positive diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) within the subsequent 90 days. 60 patients (23.9%) had a follow-up imaging study within five days. 8 had a positive study for VTE disease within 5 days. 3 patients (1.2%) were placed on anticoagulation therapy based on the limited CT result.

Keywords: CT pulmonary angiogram; Computed tomography; Indeterminate; Pulmonary embolus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiography / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult