The Value of Spiral CT Pulmonary Angiography(CTPA)in Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism(PE)

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of CTPA with spiral CT in diagnosis of PE. Methods CTPA was performed in 97 patients suspected of PE. Perfusion scintigraphy combined with chest plain film was performed in 81 patients and lower extremity imaging for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was performed in 47 of this group respectively. The diagnostic value of CTPA was evaluated and compared with that of scintigraphy based on the diagnostic standard of noninvasive imaging examination of PE. Results Based on the diagnostic standard , 68 cases were diagnosed as PE and 29 were excluded. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTPA were 95.59%, 100.00%, and 96.91% respectively. In 81 patients who also had scintigraphy, 58 cases were diagnosed as PE and 23 were excluded based on the diagnostic standard. The sensitivity and specificity were 94.83% and 100.00% for CTPA and 89.66% and 69.57% for scintigraphy, respectively (u=3.299,P0.001). In 32 PE patients who had lower extremities imaging, 28(87.5%) had positive findings of DVT. Conclusion Because of its high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PE, CTPA should be used as the first choice of imaging modality to the patients suspected of PE.