We have located links that may give you full text access.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pleural effusion and ventilation/perfusion scan interpretation for acute pulmonary embolus.
Journal of Nuclear Medicine 1996 August
UNLABELLED: This study was conducted to determine if pleural effusion size affects ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan interpretation algorithms for acute pulmonary embolus (PE).
METHODS: Retrospective analysis identified 163 consecutive patients undergoing angiography for PE with radiographic evidence for pleural effusion. V/Q scanning was performed in 94 (58%) of cases and reported using original Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) criteria. Effusions were classified as small, large and/or bilateral. Radiographic and scintigraphic results were compared with regard to size and location of abnormalities.
RESULTS: Of the 163 patients, 57 (35%) had angiographically-proven PE, 77 (47%) had at least one large pleural effusion and 86 (53%) had a small effusion; 33 (43%) with large effusions and 24 (28%) with small effusions had emboli at angiography. Thirty-six of 119 patients (30%) with clear chest radiographs (a control group) had PE. Thus, large effusions were associated with a higher incidence of PE than those with small effusions or clear lungs (p < 0.05). Of those with V/Q scanning, 26 of 94 (28%) had a solitary large effusion, with 12 (46%) positive for emboli. V/Q-matched abnormalities limited to effusion size were found in 16 with a solitary large effusion and 10 with a solitary small effusion. In both groups, 50% were angiographically positive for emboli. Twenty-three (66%) of 35 with bilateral effusions had corresponding V/Q-matched defects at one (n = 11) or both (n = 12) lung bases, and 9 (39%) were positive for emboli. In total, 45% with a V/Q-matched defect of equivalent size to the effusion were angiographically positive for PE.
CONCLUSION: Pulmonary emboli are associated with pleural effusions of all sizes. Matched V/Q defects corresponding to radiographically-evident pleural effusions are of intermediate probability for PE. Thus, revision of the traditional lung scan interpretive criteria based upon pleural effusion size is not warranted.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis identified 163 consecutive patients undergoing angiography for PE with radiographic evidence for pleural effusion. V/Q scanning was performed in 94 (58%) of cases and reported using original Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) criteria. Effusions were classified as small, large and/or bilateral. Radiographic and scintigraphic results were compared with regard to size and location of abnormalities.
RESULTS: Of the 163 patients, 57 (35%) had angiographically-proven PE, 77 (47%) had at least one large pleural effusion and 86 (53%) had a small effusion; 33 (43%) with large effusions and 24 (28%) with small effusions had emboli at angiography. Thirty-six of 119 patients (30%) with clear chest radiographs (a control group) had PE. Thus, large effusions were associated with a higher incidence of PE than those with small effusions or clear lungs (p < 0.05). Of those with V/Q scanning, 26 of 94 (28%) had a solitary large effusion, with 12 (46%) positive for emboli. V/Q-matched abnormalities limited to effusion size were found in 16 with a solitary large effusion and 10 with a solitary small effusion. In both groups, 50% were angiographically positive for emboli. Twenty-three (66%) of 35 with bilateral effusions had corresponding V/Q-matched defects at one (n = 11) or both (n = 12) lung bases, and 9 (39%) were positive for emboli. In total, 45% with a V/Q-matched defect of equivalent size to the effusion were angiographically positive for PE.
CONCLUSION: Pulmonary emboli are associated with pleural effusions of all sizes. Matched V/Q defects corresponding to radiographically-evident pleural effusions are of intermediate probability for PE. Thus, revision of the traditional lung scan interpretive criteria based upon pleural effusion size is not warranted.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app