Visualization of peripheral pulmonary artery red thrombi utilizing optical coherence tomography

Korean J Radiol. 2013 Sep-Oct;14(5):854-8. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2013.14.5.854. Epub 2013 Aug 30.

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technique capable of obtaining high-resolution intravascular images and has been used in interventional cardiology. However, an application of OCT in pulmonary arteries had seldom been documented. In this case, OCT imaging is performed in peripheral pulmonary arteries and shows mural red thrombi. Subsequently, the red thrombi are aspirated and confirmed by a histological examination. These findings suggest that OCT may be a useful tool to depict peripheral pulmonary artery thrombi.

Keywords: CT pulmonary angiography; Intravascular ultrasound; Optical coherence tomography; Peripheral pulmonary artery thrombi; Pulmonary thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed