Radiographic parenchymal opacity, matching perfusion defect, and normal ventilation: a sign of pulmonary embolism. Work in progress

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.163.2.3562833· OSTI ID:6525335

Strauss, E B; Sostman, H D; Gottschalk, A

By conventional criteria, perfusion defects that correspond to radiographic parenchymal opacities of similar size have less diagnostic significance for pulmonary embolism (PE) than perfusion defects in areas that are radiographically clear, regardless of the findings on ventilation scan. It was proposed that the demonstration of normal ventilation in areas with matched radiographic opacity and perfusion defects does support the diagnosis of PE. To test this hypothesis, a retrospective review was done of selected cases from a consecutive series of 85 pulmonary angiography studies. Cases were reviewed if the following criteria were met: chest radiography, ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, and angiography of the relevant regions had all been performed within 24 hours of one another, and there was a radiographic opacity corresponding to the perfusion defect. Sixteen cases fulfilled these criteria. Six patients had normal ventilation in the regions of the radiographic infiltrate and perfusion defect, and all had PE. No patient had an area of opacity and perfusion defect and normal ventilation without PE.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ. School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
• OSTI ID: 6525335
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
LUNGS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PERFUSED ORGANS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOLOGY
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SCINTISCANNING