Chest ImagingPulmonary infarct
condition in which radiologically a
pulmonary opacity develops distal to an occluded
pulmonary artery. From a
pathological point of view it encompasses both
haemorrhage and
infarction. Typically Hampton's hump is a wedge-shaped consolidation with its base in contact with the
pleura and its apex towards the hilum. It is more often seen on
CT than on chest radiography (
pulmonary embolism (V:1), Fig. 4). It has a low specific value but before performing
CT or MR
angiography it has a useful localizing value. Excavated
pulmonary infarct is a very rare condition in patients with aseptic emboli. The sequelae of
pulmonary infarct can be linear shadows which also have a localizing value.
JR - MRJ