VQ Scan
Taking a
Closer Look at Lung Health
With VQ
Scans
A
Ventilation-Perfusion (VQ) Scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that is used
to assess and determine the distribution of air and blood flow within the
lungs. It is majorly used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, a condition wherein a
blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. The scan is relatively painless
and low-risk due to the low amount of radiation that is used. This test
combines two types of scans - Ventilation Scan (V) and Perfusion Scan (Q) to
assess the lung function and blood flow. By identifying areas with mismatched
ventilation and pulmonary dysfunction, doctors can easily diagnose or rule out
pulmonary embolism and assess lung disease.
Overview of the Key Aspects of the VQ Scans
The
Ventilation-Perfusion (VQ) Scan consists of two procedures: Ventilation Scan
and Perfusion Scan. In Ventilation Scan (V), patients are given a mild dose of
a radioactive gas or aerosol particles through a mask or mouthpiece. These
particles highlight the areas in the lungs where air doesn’t reach properly. During
the Perfusion Scan (Q), a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into
the vein which then attaches to blood cells and move through the lungs.
Procedure:
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Patients will be asked to
dressed comfortably and remove any clothing or jewellery from the chest area.
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Patients will be made to lie
down or sit comfortably and then the technician will place a mask or mouthpiece
on the patient.
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During the scan, patients are
made to breathe in small amounts of radioactive gas or aerosol.
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The distribution of this
material is then captured through gamma camera as the patient breathes. The
gamma camera detects the distribution of this substance as it flows through the
lungs.
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The technician will ask the
patient to follow some breathing patterns or positions during the scan.
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During the perfusion scan, a
radioactive tracer material is injected into the vein of the arm of the
patient.
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This tracer attaches to the red
blood cell as it moves through the lungs.
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The patient may need to wait
for a brief period to allow the tracer to circulate through the bloodstream and
lungs.
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The patients will be asked to
lie down on the examination table and the gamma camera once agains captures
images of the chest which shows the blood flow distribution in the lungs.
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The technician will then
collect the data in the form of images and then interpret them accordingly.
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The complete test might take
1-2 hours depending on the requirement for the scan.
Benefits:
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Relatively quick and painless
with low risk due to low dose of radiation
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Helps in early detection of
pulmonary embolism and implementation of treatment measures
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Non-invasive procedure and
minimal side effects
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Provides relatively quick
results for healthcare providers to assess lung diseases
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Helpful in assessing lung
disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary
hypertension, and interstitial lung disease, among others
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Is a viable option for people
who are sensitive or allergic to contrast materials used in other scans
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Is a safer choice for patients
with renal disorders as it doesn’t involve contrast agents
Patients should
inform their healthcare providers about their medical history including
medications, surgery, or any underlying medical condition they have. Patients
may need to stop taking certain medications before the test to avoid any
complications or problems during the scan. Patients must also inform their
doctors about any allergies, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Patients may also
need to avoid eating or drinking anything before the scan.
