Reducing Radiation Exposure During Evaluation for Pulmonary Embolism

Using ventilation/perfusion scanning instead of computed tomography in selected patients decreased radiation exposure by an estimated 20%.

In the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE), pulmonary computed tomography angiography (CTA) exposes patients to a radiation dose as much as five times greater than that from ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning. Could increased use of V/Q scanning safely decrease use of CTA and, therefore, radiation exposure? To find out, researchers at an urban academic medical center introduced an imaging algorithm for the evaluation of patients who presented with complaints suggestive of PE.

According to the algorithm, patients initially underwent chest radiography. If the x-ray was negative, V/Q scanning was performed and the results were interpreted as positive (high probability), negative (normal or very low probability), or equivocal; if the x-ray wa…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)