Multidetector pulmonary CT angiography: advances in the evaluation of pulmonary arterial diseases

Multidetector CT (MDCT) has a primary role in the evaluation of pulmonary artery diseases. Contrast-enhanced MDCT studies are ideally suited for assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary thromboembolic disease. It has become the primary modality to diagnose acute and chronic thromboembolic disease. Its role in the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension is evolving, allowing the radiologist to assess the presence of disease and differentiating intrinsic versus extrinsic pulmonary arterial pathology. An understanding of pulmonary CT angiography, its appropriate application, associated pitfalls, contrast dynamics, and thin-section CT pulmonary and cardiac anatomy is necessary for accurate interpretation by the radiologist. In addition to assessing the pulmonary arteries MDCT has the implicit advantage of thin-section lung parenchymal imaging, a feature that often renders an alternative diagnosis when symptoms of pulmonary arterial disease occur.