[Old and new aspects in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism]

Pulmonary embolism remains a common complication of deep venous thrombosis. The diagnosis is often difficult, since symptoms and clinical signs are sensitive but unspecific. ECG, chest X-ray and blood chemistry serve to rule out other diseases. A normal lung perfusion scan excludes clinically relevant recent pulmonary emboli; multiple segmental perfusion defects support this diagnosis. Other scintigraphic findings have to be interpreted cautiously. Pulmonary angiography remains the diagnostic gold standard.