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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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01-09-2013 | Editorial

Perfusion SPECT in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: how much sensitivity is needed to keep patients alive?

Author: Carl Schuemichen

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 9/2013

Excerpt

Combined use of ventilation (V) and perfusion (P) scintigraphy for the diagnosis of acute and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary embolism (PE) has been well established for nearly 50 years, and is also anchored in the current European guidelines [1, 2]. The intention in using this technique is to differentiate between local V/P mismatch associated with embolic disease and local V/P match related to obstructive airway disease. This functional approach to the diagnosis of PE is needed mostly in elderly patients, since the incidence of obstructive airway disease increases with age. With P-only scintigraphy the rate of false-positive findings increases to an unacceptable 47 % even with SPECT/CT [3]. Despite well-documented advantages, V scintigraphy has not become popular in many European countries for various reasons: availability (Italy), expense, fear of radioactive contamination, and lack of quality control (Germany). …

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Title: Perfusion SPECT in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: how much sensitivity is needed to keep patients alive?
Author: Carl Schuemichen
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-013-2470-3

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Perfusion SPECT in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: how much sensitivity is needed to keep patients alive?

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