What is the role of X ray in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Chest radiography is usually the first imaging modality used on a patient with suspected PE. It is neither sensitive nor specific for PE but may demonstrate suggestive ancillary findings such as a pleural effusion, a dome-shaped peripheral opacity referred to as a Hampton hump that reflects a pulmonary infarct, a prominent central artery known as the Fleischner sign, or an area of apparent pulmonary lucency resulting from decreased lung perfusion termed the Westermark sign. It may alternatively demonstrate other findings that are diagnostic of other disease conditions.