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Patterns of pulmonary perfusion scans in normal subjects
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|April 1, 1982
Summary
Pulmonary perfusion (Q) scans rarely show defects in healthy young adults, whether they smoke or not. This indicates Q scans are reliable for diagnosing pulmonary embolism in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary perfusion (Q) scans are used to evaluate for pulmonary embolism.
- The presence of abnormal Q scans in individuals without cardiopulmonary disease may affect diagnostic accuracy.
- Previous research indicated Q scan defects are uncommon in young, non-smoking adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of abnormal Q scan findings in young, healthy smokers.
- To compare the prevalence of Q scan defects in smokers versus non-smokers.
Main Methods:
- 6-view Q scans were performed on 40 healthy subjects aged 18-29.
- Subjects underwent medical history, physical examination, ECG, spirometry, and chest X-ray.
- Scans were interpreted blindly by two experienced readers, defining abnormalities as lobar, segmental, or subsegmental defects on two views.
Main Results:
- No subjects exhibited abnormal Q scans, defined by lobar, segmental, or subsegmental defects on two views.
- Statistical comparison with a previous study of non-smokers showed no significant difference in abnormal Q scan prevalence.
- The prevalence of significant Q defects was not influenced by smoking status in this young, healthy cohort.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal pulmonary perfusion (Q) scans are extremely rare in young, healthy individuals.
- Smoking does not appear to increase the prevalence of significant Q scan defects in this demographic.
- These findings support the diagnostic utility of Q scans for suspected pulmonary embolism in young adults.