The respective role and limitations of pulmonary angiography, thoracic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary emboli.

Spiral or helical angioscanography for the positive or differential diagnos is of pulmonary emboli has become an emerging technique but remains poorly practised and has been little assessed scientifically. The optimal conditio ns to perform the rest should be understood. The physician should appreciat e in view of a large choice of parameters, the diagnosic value of the resul t and its reliability proximally and distally. Pulmonary angiography is onl y indicated when the angioscanography is negative according to the degree o f clinical and paraclinical suspicion. Angiography magnetic resonance imagi ng is a diagnostic test full of promise which does not yet have its place i n routine practice.