Actual aspects of radiological diagnosis of septic pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Aim. To form for viewers an actual vision of the issue of septic pulmonary embolism in the terminological, morphological and clinical aspects, as well as presentation of the methodic of medical imaging of such patients, to systematize and illustrate the main and rare CT signs of septic embolism.Materials and methods. We analyze the data of national and foreign scientific papers for 2001-2021 on the platforms PubMed, Elibrary, etc., as well as earlier "classic" publications on sepsis, infectious endocarditis and septic pulmonary embolism. Also presents own experience of practice with such patients in multidisciplinary hospitals and typical cases, taking into account more than 5 years of experience on this topic in radiology departments in cooperation with related specialists (cardiologists, therapists, purulent surgeons, morphologists).Results. 52 of the most relevant scientific papers were selected from 162 available articles. Based on the results, a review was compiled on the peculiarities of terminology, epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, as well as methods for diagnosis of septic pulmonary embolism, CT signs of verified cases during primary scanning, as well as follow-up images, which is extremely important in differential diagnosis. The part with the pathological anatomy of septic embolism makes it possible to better understand CT signs and the difference between this process from ordinary pneumonia.Conclusion. Due to the fact that septic embolism is a secondary process, the correct and quick interpretation of the CT images initiates the search for the primary purulent source of embolism in the body, and follow-up CT-scans (especially in infectious endocarditis) allows you to assess the effectiveness of therapy.