title: Pulmonary embolism: role of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy.
abstract: The evaluation for pulmonary embolism in the emergency setting has many challenges. Patients often present with symptoms that are nonspecific. Emergency Department physicians utilize their own subjective judgment or objective clinical algorithms, such as the Wells Score to assess the likelihood of the patient having PE. Other techniques, such as D-dimer assays and Doppler ultrasound leg studies for deep venous thrombosis are very useful, as well. Ventilation-perfusion lung scans and computed tomography pulmonary angiography are both available in most institutions. However, factors such as sensitivity or specificity, overnight availability, radiation exposure, and comfort with interpretation criteria play a role in deciding which procedure should be used. Relative merits of both the procedures will be discussed.
authors: Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
authors: Chukwuemeka
authors: C
authors: Onyedika
authors: Joseph E
authors: JE
authors: Glaser
authors: Leonard M
authors: LM
authors: Freeman
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D055420:Perfusion Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation