Value of radionuclide imaging for the emergency diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. 27 cases
De Torquat, S.; Demarez, J.P.; Paillard, J.; Baillet, J.; Passelecq, J.
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale 5(35): 2307-2309
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1518 PMID: 980788 Document Number: 99104
The urgent nature of certain cases of pulmonary ambolism limits the examinations possible to a minimum which should be rapid, immediately interpretable, absolutley harmless and of proven reliability. We reviewed 27 cases of patients referred fro possible embolectomy in a cardiovascular surgery service from 1968 to 1975. Infusion scintigraphy was carried out in all the patients and 20 underwent surgery. Retrospective study of these cases indicates that infusion lung scintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis in all 27 and indicated the need for medical or surgical treatment. The problems which were posed by certain scintigraphic images obtained using a scanning apparatus with iodine mabelled macro-agregates have disappeared with current techniques: the use of microemboli labelled with Technetium, a short-life low energy isotope, together with a scintillation camera which gives rapid AP and lateral views, the latter being essential in the determination of the topographical distribution of the defects.