The Ventilatory Lung Scan in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Regional pulmonary blood flow and ventilation in 15 patients were assessed by a dual radioisotopic technic. In 10 patients with documented pulmonary embolism, the embolic lung was underperfused but well ventilated, whereas in five patients with other pulmonary diseases, abnormalities of ventilation equaled or exceeded abnormalities of perfusion. The method is simple to perform, is associated with a low radiation exposure to the patient, and therefore may be repeated to assess the course of disease or the efficacy of treatment.