Single photon emission computed tomography in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism

Semin Nucl Med. 1986 Oct;16(4):306-36. doi: 10.1016/s0001-2998(86)80017-4.

Abstract

The use of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as the procedure for screening, assessing the size and number of embolized areas, and evaluating the follow-up of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is reviewed. Details of the technique for acquiring and processing perfusion and ventilation lung SPECTs are presented. The tomographic images produced by SPECT allow the application of a less-expensive diagnostic algorithm than that classically used. This is due to the fact that the SPECT images contain more anatomical and physiological information than similar planar images. The signs of PTE in perfusion SPECT and the significance of mismatch, match, and paradoxical mismatch are discussed and illustrated with examples.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Microspheres
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*
  • Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio

Substances

  • Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin