[Therapeutic consequences of lung scintigraphy in patients with intermediate probability of pulmonary embolism].
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary embolism has a high mortality and is difficult to diagnose. Lung scintigraphy is widely used. However, a significant number of patients receive an inconclusive result. The aim of this study was to determine how patients with an intermediate result were handled.


METHODS
Case notes from 321 (77%) of a total of 416 consecutive patients who underwent lung scintigraphy at Odense University Hospital in 2004 were examined retrospectively.


RESULTS
We found 98 (30%) patients with an intermediate probability of pulmonary embolism, among whom 14 (14%) underwent further investigation, 28 (29%) received treatment, and in 29 (30%) cases, the result was interpreted as negative for pulmonary embolism. We found no significant difference in demographic data or results of investigations performed before the scintigraphy between those who received treatment and those who did not, nor was there any difference between those who were interpreted as negative and those who were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Few patients with intermediate probability underwent further investigation and one third was interpreted as negative for pulmonary embolism, contrary to the recommendations of several guidelines. In patients with intermediate probability of pulmonary embolism we demonstrated no differences in patient history or clinical presentation between those who received treatment and those who did not.
Odense Universitetshospital, Nuklearmedicinsk Afdeling.
Ea Sofie
ES
Marmolin
Louise
L
Møller
Allan
A
Johansen
Poul Henning
PH
Madsen
Søren
S
Hess
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult