COPD

A 70 year old overinfected chronic pulmonary disease (mixted components) patient in evaluation of pulmonary embolism is presented.
V/Q Scintigraphy shows reverse mismatched defects (bigger defects at ventilation phase).
Chest x-ray and CT show opacity focci at right middle lobe and reticular honeycomb infiltrate in right pulmonary base, compatible with fibrosis  (arrows)  Prepared by:  Dr Alejandra Jiménez
Although more non diagnostic V/Q scan results can be expected in the presence of COPD or other pulmonary diseases, it remains an informative, non invasive screening.
 V/Q Scan  for diagnosis PE in COPD pacients has a Sensitivity of 79%, Specificity of 92% (PPV:79%), (NPV:92%).

References:

1.- M.M.C. Tiel-van Buul, J.F. Verzijlbergen. Ventilation-Perfusion Lung Scintigraphy.Imaging Decisions MRI 2004; 8 : 3-14.
2.- H.R. Ham et al. Ventilation-perfusion patterns in lung diseases ( with reference to those observed in pulmonary embolism). Eur J Nucl Med 1985; 10: 165-166
 

Home       Index     99 mTc-MAA Perfusion Scintigraphy     99 mTc Radioaerosol Ventilation Scintigraphy         Clinical Applications