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Lung Scan ( Ventilation / Perfusion or VQ Scan )

A lung scan is used to determine the cause of shortness of breath or chest pain.  It is used to evaluate possible blood clots in the lungs which may be life threatening.  It will determine how much of the lungs are ventilated and perfused with blood clots prior to surgery for lung cancer or emphysema.

Preparation:  There is no special preparation for a lung scan.

Procedure:  You will be asked to inhale a gas through a mask placed over your mouth and nose.  The camera will take images of the lungs inhaling  and exhaling the gas.  After adequate inhalation images are taken, a blood flow tracer will be injected into a vein followed by images of the blood flow to your lungs.

The exam takes approximately 45 minutes.

The radiologist will study the images from this exam and send a report to your physician, who will discuss the results with you.