Background
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition and has a clinical dilemma in
diagnosis. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a gold
standard in its diagnosis, but MRI has proven a good role in PE diagnosis.
Aim
The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of noncontrast magnetic resonance
pulmonary angiography (MRPA) imaging in diagnosis of acute PE using CTPA as
a gold standard.
Patients and methods
In total, 25 patients with PE confirmed by CTPA were included in this study. All
patients underwent computed tomography angiography and noncontrast MRPA
on the same day or within three consecutive days. The results were compared and
statistically analyzed.
Results
The mean age of the study group was 46.4 ± 13.5 years. Females represent 60%
(15/25) and males represent 40% (10/25). The per-vessel sensitivity of noncontrast
MRPA reached to about 100% with specificity 100% at the level of the main trunk,
right and left main pulmonary arteries down to segmental arteries. The sensitivity
for right subsegmental branches was 25% and left subsegmental branches was
33.3%.
Conclusion
The noncontrast MRPA has a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis
of PE, especially in major branches. So, it can be used as an alternative to the
computed tomography angiography, especially when the computed tomography
angiography and the use of gadolinium are contraindicated. |
