This exam is conducted to diagnose a pulmonary embolism. The exam is conducted in two parts. Pulmonary ventilation and perfusion are evaluated.
30 to 45 minutes
Evaluation of pulmonary ventilation
The first part of the exam consists in verifying air circulation in the lungs. The technologist has patients breathe in a slightly radioactive gas, which follows the same trajectory as the air that circulates through the lungs.
The technologist then takes images for approximately 15 minutes while patients lie down on a stretcher with their arms above their heads and as the camera moves around them. The technologist remains in the room throughout the exam.
Evaluation of pulmonary perfusion
The second part of the exam consists in verifying blood circulation in the lungs. A radioactive tracer is injected into an arm vein as a camera takes images. A second series of images is taken, and this lasts approximately 15 minutes. Patients lie down on a stretcher with their arms above their heads and a camera moves around them. The technologist remains in the room throughout the exam.