The Radiology of Obliterative Pulmonary Hypertension and Thrombo-embolism

Abstract

The features observed in the chest radiograph and pulmonary arteriogram in patients with thrombo-embolism are described. Patients have been divided into two groups but common to all cases is prominence of the right ventricle and dilatation of the main pulmonary arteries in the hilum. The value of the pulmonary arteriogram is shown. In Group A the arteriogram can demonstrate patent major arteries and tortuosity in small peripheral arteries with some random pruning. In Group B the pulmonary arteriogram can show occlusion of major arteries and leashes of patent abnormal vessels. These may produce ill-defined, rounded shadows on the chest radiograph. The problem and significance of the vascular disturbance is discussed.