Question:medium
A bedridden patient experiences acute chest pain that is worsened by breathing. Which imaging technique would be most helpful?
A bedridden patient experiences acute chest pain that is worsened by breathing. Which imaging technique would be most helpful?
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Which non-invasive scan has replaced pulmonary angiography for PE?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- USG
- X-ray chest
- Ventilation perfusion scan
- CT scan
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Pleuritic chest pain in an immobilized patient strongly suggests pulmonary embolism, supported by dyspnea, tachypnea, and possible hemoptysis.
Step 2: The aim of imaging is to visualize the clot within the pulmonary arteries quickly and reliably.
Step 3: Contrast-enhanced CT (CT pulmonary angiogram) directly images the filling defect of the embolus, is non-invasive, and has largely replaced conventional pulmonary angiography in routine practice, so it is the most helpful technique here.
Step 4: Plain chest radiograph and ultrasound lack sensitivity for clot, and the V/Q scan is a backup when CT or contrast is contraindicated. Therefore the CT scan is selected.
\[\boxed{\text{CT scan}}\]
Step 2: The aim of imaging is to visualize the clot within the pulmonary arteries quickly and reliably.
Step 3: Contrast-enhanced CT (CT pulmonary angiogram) directly images the filling defect of the embolus, is non-invasive, and has largely replaced conventional pulmonary angiography in routine practice, so it is the most helpful technique here.
Step 4: Plain chest radiograph and ultrasound lack sensitivity for clot, and the V/Q scan is a backup when CT or contrast is contraindicated. Therefore the CT scan is selected.
\[\boxed{\text{CT scan}}\]
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