Learning objectives
To be aware of Pulmonary Hypertension and its clinical importance
To discuss the role of radiologists;
Recognizing Computed Tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary hypertension
Distinguishing different causes of pulmonary hypertension with CT
Background
Pulmonary Hypertension is a clinical entity with high mortality and morbidity.
Number of researches in this field increased over the last years.
During the 5th World Symposium held in Nice,
France,
in 2013,
modifications and updates inclinical classification were proposed.
Pulmonary Hypertension is a consequence of vascular changes within the arterial or venous pulmonary circulation with a mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 25 mm Hg at rest or greater than 30 mm Hg during exercise.
Presenting symptoms of pulmonary hypertension such as exertional dyspnea...
Findings and procedure details
Pulmonary Hypertension is a consequence of vascular changes within the arterial or venous pulmonary circulation.
These changes may be idiopathic or secondary to alterations in pulmonary blood flow.
Thorax CT and pulmonary CT angiography are helpful for detecting idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and distinguishing various different causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension.
The classic CT findings of arterial pulmonary hypertension:
Pulmonary trunk enlargement (≥ 29 mm,
≥ aortic diameter)(Fig.1)
Sharply pruned peripheral vasculature
Small tortuous peripheral arteries
A segmental artery–to-bronchial diameter ratio of 1:1 or more in...
Conclusion
Clinical symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are nonspesific and can lead to delay in the diagnosis.
Measurement of the diameter of pulmonary truncus and awareness of other pulmonary hypertension signs should be a part of chest CT assesment,
especially in patients with lung-/liver disease and malignancies.
If pulmonary hypertension is detected,
list the possible underlying diseases and check their imaging findings like thrombi,
mosaic attenuation,
interstitial fibrosis etc.
Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism,
a curable disease,
should always be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary...
References
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