Radiographic signs of pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction.

A comparative analysis of the radiographic features in a group of patients dying with pulmonary embolism and/or pulmonary infarction, and a group without but suspected of having the conditions before death, showed that two radiologists could diagnose pulmonary infarction correctly in 70% of cases. The most useful radiographic sign was elevation of the diaphragm often with slight atelectasis and a small unilateral effusion. The plain chest radiograph was of little value in diagnosing pulmonary embolism without infarction.