Related Experiment Videos
Emission tomography in embolic lung disease
R M Donaldson1, O Khan, J G Bennett
1Institute of Nuclear Medicine, The Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, England.
Texas Heart Institute Journal
|June 1, 1982
Summary
This study compared ventilation-perfusion lung scans and emission tomography for diagnosing lung embolism. Multiplane imaging may offer improved sensitivity for detecting lesions in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Accurate diagnosis of PE is crucial for timely and effective treatment.
- Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scans are a primary diagnostic tool for PE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic concordance between ventilation-perfusion lung scans and emission tomography in patients with suspected embolic lung disease.
- To assess the potential of multiplane imaging for enhancing lesion detection in V/Q scans.
Main Methods:
- 84 patients with suspected embolic lung disease underwent both ventilation-perfusion lung scans and emission tomography.
- Data from both imaging modalities were compared for concordance and discordance.
- Conventional two-dimensional planar projections and multiplane detection imaging were utilized.
Main Results:
- Concordant diagnostic data were obtained in 72 patients (57 positive for PE, 15 negative).
- Results were discordant in 10 patients and indeterminate in 2 patients.
- Multiplane detection imaging demonstrated potential for improved sensitivity in lesion detection.
Conclusions:
- Ventilation-perfusion lung scans remain a mainstay for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
- Emission tomography provides complementary data, with high concordance observed in the majority of cases.
- Multiplane imaging techniques may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of V/Q scans for pulmonary embolism.