Scintigraphy and chest radiography in the screening of pulmonary embolism after total hip replacement

210 patients were screened for pulmonary embolism after total hip replacement with chest radiography and perfusion-ventilation scintigraphy using a new, dry 99mTc-microaerosol and a detailed system for coding scintigraphic abnormalities. Chest radiography did not contribute significantly to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. In spite of careful evaluation, false-negative and false-positive scintigraphic diagnoses of PE are still possible.