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Pulmonary embolism: Difference between revisions
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'''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is a form of [[venous thromboembolism]] and is a serious complication of [[deep vein thrombosis]] which can lead to death in 30 – 60% of cases, and is more common in case of proximal DVT. | <section begin="radiology" />'''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is a form of [[venous thromboembolism]] and is a serious complication of [[deep vein thrombosis]] which can lead to death in 30 – 60% of cases, and is more common in case of proximal DVT. | ||
PE is classified into three different types: | PE is classified into three different types: | ||
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[[Echocardiography]] is useful in PE, as it allows for ruling out other differential diagnoses ([[Cardiac tamponade|tamponade]], myocardial ischaemia, valvular disease, etc.), and in case of massive PE right ventricular strain may be visible. | [[Echocardiography]] is useful in PE, as it allows for ruling out other differential diagnoses ([[Cardiac tamponade|tamponade]], myocardial ischaemia, valvular disease, etc.), and in case of massive PE right ventricular strain may be visible. | ||
Chest radiography is not used for evaluation of PE, but in 2% of cases, the Westermark sign may be present. This is only seen in large emboli and is characterised by the distal blood vessels of a lung being collapsed and therefore smaller than normal, called focal peripheral hyperlucency. | Chest radiography is not used for evaluation of PE, but in 2% of cases, the Westermark sign may be present. This is only seen in large emboli and is characterised by the distal blood vessels of a lung being collapsed and therefore smaller than normal, called focal peripheral hyperlucency.<section end="radiology" /> | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
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* Death | * Death | ||
[[Category:Haematology]] | <noinclude>[[Category:Haematology]] | ||
[[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]] | [[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]]</noinclude> | ||