Palla's sign

Palla's sign is a medical sign that is used to diagnose pulmonary embolism. It is named after the Italian radiologist, Antonio Palla, who first described it in 1983. The sign is seen on a chest radiograph and is characterized by an enlarged right descending pulmonary artery.

Description

Palla's sign is a radiological sign that is seen in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. It is characterized by an enlarged right descending pulmonary artery on a chest radiograph. The right descending pulmonary artery is the artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. When this artery is enlarged, it is often a sign of a blockage or clot, which is indicative of a pulmonary embolism.

Clinical significance

Palla's sign is not commonly used in clinical practice as it is not very sensitive or specific for pulmonary embolism. However, it can be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, particularly in patients who have a high clinical suspicion of the condition but in whom other diagnostic tests are inconclusive.

History

Palla's sign is named after the Italian radiologist, Antonio Palla, who first described it in 1983. Palla observed that in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, the right descending pulmonary artery was often enlarged on a chest radiograph. He suggested that this could be a useful sign in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

See also

• Pulmonary embolism
• Chest radiograph
• Antonio Palla

References

Palla's sign Resources
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