Lung Scintigraphy

CT is now often used in pulmonary embolism workup. In patients with kidney problems, in whom no X-ray contrast agent can be given, the nuclear medicine method is a good alternative.

Figure: Lung scintigraphy in a patient with multiple lung emboli.

Figure: Lung scintigraphy in a patient with multiple lung emboli.

Often the procedure consists of two scans

  1. Ventilation scan and
  2. Perfusion scan

Indications

  • Suspicion of lung embolism
  • Distribution of lung perfusion before an operation

Preparation & Precautions

No special measures necessary.

If you believe you are pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding, please bring this to our attention upon receipt of this information sheet.

Scintigraphy

At the beginning you will have to inhale a radioactive spray to examine how well you breathe. Then you will get an injection of radioactive tracer to examine the perfusion of your lungs. The whole procedure will take approximately 1 hour.

Side effects

No side effects are to be expected. Please inform us if you suffer from any allergies.
The radiation dose of the examination is comparable to one to two times the natural yearly radiation dose in Zurich. The examination can also be performed in children.

Responsible doctors

Martin Hüllner, Prof. Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Vice Director of Department, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 44 255 25 80
Specialties: Research group: Hybrid and molecular tumor imaging, PET/CT and PET/MR, SPECT/CT

Cäcilia Mader, Dr. med.

Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 43 253 88 02

Alexander Maurer, Dr. med.

Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 43 253 88 09
Specialties: Multimodal oncological hybrid imaging (PET/CT and PET/MRI), Imaging of prostate cancer (PSMA PET), SPECT/CT

Michael Messerli, PD Dr. med.

Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 43 253 88 03
Specialties: Multimodal oncological imaging, Thoracic imaging, Research group: Hybrid and molecular tumor imaging

For patients

As a patient, you cannot register directly for a consultation. Please have your family doctor, specialist refer you. If you have any questions, please use our contact form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Contact formular

For referring physicians

Simply assign your patient via registration form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55

Medical information hotline: 08.00-18.00 o’clock: +41 44 255 15 03

Registration form

Responsible Department