Ventilation Perfusion Lung Scan

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Your physician has requested that you have a ventilation/perfusion lung scan. This is a safe, simple way to evaluate the air and blood flow to your lungs. A radioactive gas called Xenon-133 (Xe-133) is used for the ventilation portion of the exam. To evaluate lung blood flow Technetium-99m microaggregated albumin (Tc99m-MAA) is used. The radioactivity associated with the inhalation of the Xenon-133 gas and the injection of Technetium 99m-MAA is negligible. The ventilation portion of the test will require that you wear a mask. The purpose of the mask is to be able to deliver and recover the gas (Xenon-133). The Xenon gas inhalation or the Technetium 99m-MAA injection will not make you feel dizzy, nauseated, hot or cold. This test is commonly used to evaluate the lungs for the presence of pulmonary emboli (acute or chronic), pre-operative lung reserve, effects of granulomatous disease to the lungs, post-operative complications, specific cases of emphysema, cardiac shunts and congenital conditions. A recent chest radiograph (within 24 hrs) is required prior to this test.

Approximate exam time 30 minutes.

To outline our requirements, you will:

1. After registration report to Medical Imaging and check in with our receptionist.
2. You will be escorted to Nuclear Medicine where a short history will be taken.
3. The nuclear medicine technologist will escort you to the nuclear medicine camera/exam room.
4. You will be placed on a narrow bed lying down on your back.
5. The ventilation portion of the exam will be performed first using the Xenon-133 gas. It will require that you wear a mask.
6. For the perfusion (blood flow) portion of the exam Technetium - 99-MAA will be administered with an injection in a vein in your arm.
7. Several images of your chest will be obtained from multiple angles. The nuclear medicine camera will rotate around your body.
8. The Radiologist will review the images before you are released.
9. The images will be read by the Radiologist and the results will be sent to your physician.

Note: Inpatients will be transported to Nuclear Medicine