Incidental pulmonary emboli detected at helical CT: effect on patient care.

Abstract

Incidental pulmonary emboli were detected in approximately 1% of patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT of the chest. All of these patients were at high risk for emboli. Therapeutic intervention was undertaken in 61% of these patients. While ultimate patient outcome is uncertain, the incidental CT diagnosis of pulmonary emboli appears accurate and affects patient care.