TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality initiatives
T2 - Imaging pregnant patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: What the radiologist needs to know
AU - Pahade, Jay K.
AU - Litmanovich, Diana
AU - Pedrosa, Ivan
AU - Romero, Janneth
AU - Bankier, Alexander A.
AU - Boiselle, Phillip M.
PY - 2009/5
Y1 - 2009/5
N2 - Pregnancy is associated with a fivefold increase in the prevalence of venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of maternal death. However, the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism during pregnancy is challenging because classic clinical symptoms are often absent and physiologic changes during pregnancy can mimic pulmonary embolism. Concerns about exposure of the fetus to ionizing radiation and intravenously administered contrast material, as well as potential medicolegal issues, further complicate the diagnosis. Although diagnostic imaging plays an important role in this setting, there are currently no widely accepted guidelines for radiologists and clinicians to follow. Thus, radiologists should be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of available imaging modalities, methods for dose reduction, radiation risks, and medicolegal risk management guidelines.
AB - Pregnancy is associated with a fivefold increase in the prevalence of venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of maternal death. However, the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism during pregnancy is challenging because classic clinical symptoms are often absent and physiologic changes during pregnancy can mimic pulmonary embolism. Concerns about exposure of the fetus to ionizing radiation and intravenously administered contrast material, as well as potential medicolegal issues, further complicate the diagnosis. Although diagnostic imaging plays an important role in this setting, there are currently no widely accepted guidelines for radiologists and clinicians to follow. Thus, radiologists should be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of available imaging modalities, methods for dose reduction, radiation risks, and medicolegal risk management guidelines.
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U2 - 10.1148/rg.293085226
DO - 10.1148/rg.293085226
M3 - Article
C2 - 19270072
AN - SCOPUS:68549121197
SN - 0271-5333
VL - 29
SP - 639
EP - 654
JO - Radiographics
JF - Radiographics
IS - 3
ER -