Radiologist Questions Radiologist

Does a pulmonary embolism show up on a CT scan?

I will get a CT scan of the lungs. Does a pulmonary embolism show up on a CT scan?

2 Answers

Yes, you have to administer contrast intravenously to diagnose it. It is not a simple lung CT though it is a dedicated scan of your arteries called a CTA for pulmonary emboli.
The simple answer is yes, but not necessarily on a scan without contrast. Recommended is CT pulmonary angiography.