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- Title
Lung scintigraphy and helical computed tomography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis.
- Authors
van Beek, E J; Brouwers, E M; Song, B; Bongaerts, A H; Oudkerk, M
- Abstract
To assess the diagnostic value of lung scintigraphy and helical computed tomography (hCT) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), all English-language articles that described lung scintigraphy and hCT in patients with suspected PE were retrieved. Articles were assessed for strength of methodology, based on nine a priori-defined criteria. Parameters of diagnostic accuracy and results of management studies were calculated and evaluated. Lung scintigraphy is diagnostic in approximately 50% of patients with suspected PE. A normal perfusion scan has a chance of recurrent PE in two of 693 patients (0.3%; 95% CI: 0.2-0.4%; fatal in 0.15%). A high-probability lung scan is correlated with angiographically proven PE in 308 of 350 patients (88%; 95% CI: 84-91%). Pulmonary embolism was proven in 385 of 1529 patients (25%; 95% CI: 24-28%) with a nondiagnostic lung scan. Helical CT studies were compared with angiography and lung scintigraphy in 1171 patients, with a prevalence of PE of 39%. The sensitivity and specificity of hCT was 283/320 (88%; 95% CI: 83-91%) and 374/408 (92%; 95% CI: 89-94%), respectively. Only one prospective management study using hCT was available. In patients in whom anticoagulants were withheld based on a normal hCT study, recurrent thromboembolic events occurred in six of 109 patients (5.5%; 95% CI: 2-12%), with one fatality (1%; 95% CI: 0.02-4.3%). Lung scintigraphy is evaluated extensively and yields a diagnostic result in 50% of patients. Helical CT has similar positive predictive value to a high-probability lung scan. However, the exact role of hCT in the management of patients with suspected PE needs to be determined in prospective studies.
- Publication
Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, 2001, Vol 7, Issue 2, p87
- ISSN
1076-0296
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1177/107602960100700202