V/Q Scans — Not Obsolete Just Yet

In this study, V/Q scanning had excellent specificity and reasonable sensitivity, making it an appropriate imaging procedure for evaluation of pulmonary embolism in patients for whom CT angiography is contraindicated.

Although computed tomographic angiography is the most widely used imaging test for evaluating patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), some patients don’t undergo the procedure because of renal insufficiency or allergy to iodinated contrast media. Researchers assessed the accuracy of the usual alternative to CT angiography — ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning — in this analysis of data from the previously published PIOPED II study (Journal Watch Jun 20 2006).

Data were analyzed for 910 patients (mostly outpatients) with suspected PE; all underwent both V/Q scanning and had data from another reference standard (either conventional pulmonary arteriography or CT angiography plus Wells clinical score). V/Q scans were positive (2 or mor…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose