Lung perfusion scintigraphy is one of the tests frequently performed in the initial diagnosis of a patient with pulmonary hypertension. It enables the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolic hypertension. How does lung perfusion scintigraphy work?

Lung perfusion scintigraphyis a test performed in the Isotope Laboratory of the Department of Nuclear Medicine. The purpose of lung perfusion scintigraphy is to check the blood supply to the lung parenchyma. The examination is preceded by taking a classic radiograph of the chest.

Lung perfusion scintigraphy: the course of the study

The patient has a cannula through which he receives intravenously a small amount of fluid containing natural blood proteins (albumin) labeled with Technet 99, which is a radioisotope (has the ability to emit radiation). When albumin passes through the small capillaries of the lungs thanks to the marker, they emit radiation, which is detected by a special camera and presented in the form of photos. The intensity and location of radiation are proportional to the blood supply to the lungs. In a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism, who has thrombus occluding the lumen of the lungs in the lungs, there is a lack of blood flow at these sites - this is visible in the pictures as segmental or larger perfusion defects in the corresponding areas of the lung. In patients with PAH, minor, smaller than segmental perfusion defects unrelated to the presence of thrombi may also be seen from time to time. Therefore, the test must always be interpreted by a doctor.

Lung perfusion scintigraphy: indications

  • pulmonary arterial hypertension (allows to diagnose thromboembolic changes as the cause of pulmonary hypertension)
  • pulmonary embolism,
  • respiratory failure of unclear origin,
  • assessment of regional lung perfusion, e.g. after treatment with antigagulants, in acquired lung diseases (asthma, cancer),
  • lung cancer (mainly bronchial cancer) - it is worth doing the examination before qualifying the patient for surgery,
  • differentiation between primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension,
  • some birth defects, e.g. pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary hypoplasia,
  • some heart defects.

Lung perfusion scintigraphy: contraindications

  • right-left leak in the heart,
  • heavypulmonary hypertension,
  • allergy to human albumin,
  • pregnancy.

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