Patterns of pulmonary perfusion scans in normal subjects

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5504211

Wallace, J M; Moser, K M; Hartman, M T; Ashburn, W L

A vital factor conditioning the usage of the pulmonary perfusion (Q) scan in the evaluation of patients suspected of pulmonary embolism is the prevalence of abnormal Q scans in subjects free of cardiopulmonary disease. Because this prevalence has not been well defined, we performed Q scans in 80 nonsmoking subjects 18 to 29 yr of age having no known active cardiopulmonary disease. Each subject underwent a history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, and PA chest roentgenogram, followed by a 6-view Q scan. Two subjects in whom a Q defect was suspected underwent a /sup 133/Xe equilibrium-washout ventilation (V) scan. All Q scans were interpreted blindly and independently by 2 experienced readers. Seventy-nine of the 80 Q scans were read as normal. No subject demonstrated a lobar or segmental defect. One of the 80 subjects, who had a mild pectus excavatum, had a left upper lobe subsegmental defect, which was not seen on the V scan. Based on the statistical analysis of these data, no more than 3.68% of normal nonsmoking persons in this age group may have a lobar or segmental Q scan defect and no more than 6.77% may have a subsegmental defect (with 95% confidence). Therefore, our study indicated that Q scan defects, particularly lobar or segmental, are rarely present among normal nonsmokers in this age group.

• Research Organization: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, University of California, San Diego
• OSTI ID: 5504211
• Journal Information: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Vol. 124:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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