Case of the Week: Pulmonary Infarction (X-ray & CT)

What this episode covers

In this radiology lecture, we discuss the chest x-ray and CT appearance of pulmonary infarction in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism. Key points include: * Uncommon complication of pulmonary embolism. * Most common in right lung. * Risk of infarction increases with large clot burden. * Typically wedge-shaped, peripheral consolidation with no air bronchograms (Hampton hump). * However, may not be wedge-shaped, and not all wedge-shaped opacities will be infarcts in the setting of pulmonary embolism. * “Bubbly” consolidation containing rounded, central lucencies: Most specific finding of infarct* and represents a combination of infarcted, necrotic lung and adjacent viable, aerated lung. * “Vessel” sign: Enlarged vessel leading to apex of a wedge-shaped opacity. Vessel is dilated due to the presence of intraluminal thrombus or distal obstruction. *Revel MP, Triki R, Chatellier G, et al. Is it possible to recognize pulmonary infarction on multisection CT images? Radiology. 2007;244(3):875-882. Click the YouTube Community tab or follow on social media for bonus teaching material posted throughout the week! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiologistHQ/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radiologistHeadQuarters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/radiologistHQ

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