Incidental Pulmonary Embolism Identified on Chest CT during Initial Trauma Evaluation

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism frequently occur after trauma and continue to account for significant morbidity and mortality in this population. Asymptomatic pulmonary emboli are also believed to be quite common, but the incidence as well as the implications of these events is unknown. This case report describes two patients whose pulmonary emboli were found incidentally on the initial trauma workup. Very little has been written concerning this issue and in this case report we review the risk factors and clinical significance of these “incidentally discovered” pulmonary emboli.