title: EANM guidelines for ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy : Part 2. Algorithms and clinical considerations for diagnosis of pulmonary emboli with V/P(SPECT) and MDCT.
abstract: As emphasized in Part 1 of these guidelines, the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is confirmed or refuted using ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy (V/P(SCAN)) or multidetector computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries (MDCT). To reduce the costs, the risks associated with false-negative and false-positive diagnoses, and unnecessary radiation exposure, preimaging assessment of clinical probability is recommended. Diagnostic accuracy is approximately equal for MDCT and planar V/P(SCAN) and better for tomography (V/P(SPECT)). V/P(SPECT) is feasible in about 99% of patients, while MDCT is often contraindicated. As MDCT is more readily available, access to both techniques is vital for the diagnosis of PE. V/P(SPECT) gives an effective radiation dose of 1.2-2 mSv. For V/P(SPECT), the effective dose is about 35-40% and the absorbed dose to the female breast 4% of the dose from MDCT performed with a dose-saving protocol. V/P(SPECT) is recommended as a first-line procedure in patients with suspected PE. It is particularly favoured in young patients, especially females, during pregnancy, and for follow-up and research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, Lund University Hospital, S-221 85, Lund, Sweden. Marika.bajc@med.lu.se
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bajc
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Neilly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miniati
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuemichen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meignan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jonson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals