Lung perfusion scanning in the comprehensive diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism

The aim of the study was to define the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of lung perfusion scanning (LPS) in pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). PTE diagnostic techniques are comparatively assessed. The data on 108 patients with suspected PTE and lung perfusion defects revealed at pulmonary scintigraphy were analyzed. The diagnostic techniques included electrocardiography (ECG), 150 echocardiography, venous ultrasonography, chest X-ray, and LPS. The significant signs of PTE were singled out of 150 ones (history data, complaints, clinical symptoms, instrumental findings, autopsy data); LPS data were analyzed in detail. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LPS were 95.2, 20, and 77.7%, respectively. It is shown that lung scans should be interpreted, by taking into account X-ray data, and LPS should follow ECG, venous ultrasonography, and chest X-ray.