Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Another CCTA Incidental Finding: Case Report of an Idiopathic Pulmonary Vein Pseudo-thrombosis
Abraham Bordon1, Noah Weg2, Raphael Miller2
1Department of Radiology, Columbia Medical Center, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Introduction:
While pulmonary vein filling defects on CT are typically considered diagnostic for thrombus, under certain circumstances, they can be artifactual as a result of flow phenomena.
Case Presentation:
We report a case of a 53-year-old female with chest pain who was found to have filling defects in pulmonary vein branches on CCTA that were initially treated as thromboses. However, follow-up cardiac MRI was negative for thrombi, and pseudo-thrombosis was therefore diagnosed.
Conclusion:
Pulmonary vein pseudo-thrombosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary vein filling defects.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

