Is VQ scan better than CT scan?
Several papers have reported statistically significant greater accuracy for PE detection for CT with sensitivities and specificities for CT of 83% to 94% and 94% to 96%, respectively vs. 65% and 94% for V/Q scintigraphy.
When do you use VPA scan vs CTPA?
VQ scans are often preferred during pregnancy because they give a lower radiation dose to your breast tissue (which is more sensitive than usual to radiation during pregnancy). However, a CTPA scan will give a smaller radiation dose to your baby, and it can be more accurate in detecting blood clots in your lung.
What is the difference between a VQ scan and CTPA?
Diagnostic accuracy of CTPA and VQ SPECT (using current criteria) is similar (Table 4) although CTPA detects clots in smaller vessels. Radiation dose of VQ is significantly less than CTPA, which makes VQ preferable for young women and for follow up to establish baseline post-treatment.
What is the best diagnostic imaging technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism?
Imaging plays an important role in the evaluation and management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the current standard of care and provides accurate diagnosis with rapid turnaround time.
How much radiation is in a CTPA?
However, CTPA involves a high radiation exposure with an estimated dose-average of 10.7 mSv [5, 6].
When do you use CTPA?
CTPA is typically only requested if pulmonary embolism is suspected clinically. If the probability of PE is considered low, a blood test called D-dimer may be requested. If this is negative and risk of a PE is considered negligible, then CTPA or other scans are generally not performed.
Does VQ scan affect kidneys?
The most common reason to order a VQ scan is to avoid the IV dye. The IV dye used for CT scans can cause kidney problems in some patients, called contrast-induced nephropathy or “CIN.” This is a kidney problem that usually does not make patients feel any differently or change how they urinate.
What is a CTPA scan?
A CT pulmonary angiogram (or CTPA) is a CT scan that looks for blood clots in the lungs (also known as pulmonary embolism or PE). A CT pulmonary angiogram takes pictures of the blood vessels that run from the heart to the lungs (the pulmonary arteries).
What can a CTPA detect?
A CT pulmonary angiogram (or CTPA) is a CT scan that looks for blood clots in the lungs (also known as pulmonary embolism or PE).
Is CTPA harmful?
Severe reactions to CTPA are rare, but some risks do exist, including: Allergy to the X-ray dye (tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies) Headache from medication given during the procedure. In rare cases, dye may leak into the veins in surrounding tissues.
What’s the difference between a CTPA and vq scan?
A CTPA transmits more radiation to the maternal breast tissue, whereas a V/Q scan transmits more radiation to the fetus. There is no hard data here to guide practice and specific strategies remain controversial. However, it is important to realize that both VQ and CTPA fetal radiation dose falls well below teratogenic doses.
Which is better for PE CTPA or V / Q SPECT?
V/Q SPECT has been shown to have superior accuracy compared to traditional V/Q and has similar sensitivity, but poorer specificity compared to CTPA for pulmonary embolism [9]. V/Q SPECT eliminates intermediate probability scans, and is reported dichotomously as positive or negative for PE.
When to use a V / Q scan for PE?
The European Society of Cardiology recommends considering V/Q scan to rule out suspected PE in pregnant women with normal CXR (Class IIB recommendation) and that CTPA should be considered if the CXR is abnormal or if V/Q scan is not readily available (Class IIa recommendation) [16].
How is V / Q SPECT used to diagnose PE?
V/Q SPECT eliminates intermediate probability scans, and is reported dichotomously as positive or negative for PE. This avoids the ambiguity of results in traditional V/Q. Robust data is pending regarding its diagnostic utility compared to CTPA.