Pulmonary embolism is an uncommon but potentially life threatening disease in children and adolescents. The clinical findings can be similar to other more common conditions such as pneumonia. Therefore high level of suspicion is required for early and accurate diagnosis. Most children have at least one underlying risk factor, either inherited or acquired.

Computed tomography is the most widely used method in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for pulmonary embolism, however, acute surgery may be recquired for removal of the embolism.

We report a case of pulmonary embolism in a teenage girl with serious circulatory failure where emergency surgery was needed.

 

Baldursdottir S, Torfason B, Sigfusson G, Benediktsdottir K, Bjarnason R.

Pulmonary embolism in a teenage girl. Icel Med J 2011; 97: 97-9.

Key words: computed tomography, P-pill, anticoagulation, surgery

Correspondence: Ragnar Bjarnason, ragnarb@landspitali.is