Venous thromboembolism chest x ray

Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
It is more helpful in making an alternative diagnoses (Eg. pneumonia which can present with dyspnea and chest pain), than for diagnosing VTE. Xray findings are most often normal in patients with PE, It may reveal:
 * Enlarged right descending pulmonary artery
 * Decreased pulmonary vascularity (Westermark sign)
 * Elevation of the hemidiaphragm (Hampton hump)

In case of an infarction:
 * A wedge-shaped infiltrate or
 * Pleural effusion might be present.

Related Chapters

 * Pulmonary embolism
 * Deep vein thrombosis