3-D-Imaging and Volume Mathematics Versus Common Static Imaging in Combined Inhalation / Perfusion Lung Scintigraphy

The purpose of the present study was to assess the diagnostic value and the practical usefulness of inhalation-/ perfusion SPET of the lung applying Multimodality three- dimensional (3-D-) data analysis. Lung perfusion scintigraphy (LP) is a common method for detecting sites of decreased perfusion. Lung inhalation scintigraphy (LI) is routinely performed when perfusion defects are visualized by LP. Visual analysis of studies showing abnormalities both in LP as well as in LI, can sometimes be difficult to carry out. The comparison of the images can be difficult in cases with inhalation and perfusion defects. Combined LI/LP in planar and SPET 3-D-technique was investigated in 33 patients having known or suspected lung disorders. Our data demonstrate an equal sensitivity of the 3-D-SPET in patients with pure pulmonary embolism (PE) and a better sensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and PE compared with planar scans. Both methods require similar acquisition time, the time needed for 3-D-processing generally depends on the performance of the computer equipment. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.