Prognosis in a patient with an initial normal pulmonary angiogram

Chest. 1994 Apr;105(4):1257-8. doi: 10.1378/chest.105.4.1257.

Abstract

A 58-year-old man with pleuritic chest pain and an indeterminate lung scan had normal results of Duplex ultrasound studies of the lower limbs and a normal pulmonary angiogram. Recurrent symptoms led to repeated pulmonary angiography and a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. This case emphasizes the possibility of missing an initial, or developing a subsequent, pulmonary embolism despite a normal angiogram and reinforces the need for serial studies if a noninvasive strategy for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is to be employed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • False Negative Reactions
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography