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Parenchymal opacities associated with pulmonary embolism
Mehmet Ekici1, Aydanur Ekici1, Sevda Yılmaz2
1Departments of Chest Diseases, Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Yahşihan, Kirikkale, Turkey.
Respiratory Medicine
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) related opacities often develop into infarction and scar tissue, irrespective of whether the PE is acute or chronic. Consolidation morphology shows the highest rate of scar tissue development.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Parenchymal opacities in pulmonary embolism (PE) may present differently in acute versus chronic cases.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize parenchymal opacities associated with acute and chronic pulmonary embolism.
- To compare the development of infarction and scar tissue in these opacities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients with pleural-based parenchymal opacities and confirmed PE via CTPA.
- Follow-up CT scans were used to assess outcomes.
- Patients were categorized into acute and chronic PE groups based on CT features.
Main Results:
- 84 opacities were identified in 43 patients; 70.2% developed into infarction.
- Scar tissue formation varied by morphology: 33.3% in ground-glass, 80.4% in consolidation, and 65.5% in mixed consolidation.
- Clinical, laboratory, and cardiac CT findings were similar between acute and chronic PE groups.
Conclusions:
- Over two-thirds of PE-related opacities progress to infarction with scar tissue, regardless of PE chronicity.
- Consolidation demonstrates the highest frequency of scar tissue development.
- Opacities in both acute and chronic PE require long-term follow-up due to their significant sequelae.
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