Nuclear Medicine Scan of Pulmonary - Vq Scan Item 2 (Bilateral)

What Is a Bilateral Pulmonary V/Q Scan?

A bilateral pulmonary ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan is a specialized nuclear medicine test designed to assess how well air (ventilation) and blood (perfusion) are moving through both of your lungs. Unlike many other imaging procedures, this test does not use intravenous contrast dye, and you will not be placed in a narrow, enclosed imaging tunnel, so there is no risk of claustrophobia during the scan. The test uses a very small, safe dose of radioactive tracer, and the total time you will spend in the imaging suite is approximately 10 minutes, with no special preparation required before your appointment.

Clinical Applications for Respiratory Health

This scan is most frequently ordered to diagnose or rule out pulmonary embolism, a serious condition where a blood clot blocks blood flow to a portion of the lung, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. It is also used to evaluate chronic respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, and structural lung damage from prior infections, injuries, or chronic lung disease, to measure how well both lungs are functioning overall. Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or coughing up blood, or if you need pre-surgical assessment of your lung function before upcoming chest or major surgical procedures.

What to Expect During Your Scan

When you arrive for your appointment, the nuclear medicine technologist will administer a small dose of radioactive tracer, either as a gas you breathe in through a mask or a quick, painless injection, depending on your provider’s orders. You will then lie on a comfortable padded table while a special gamma camera takes detailed images of both of your lungs; you will only need to stay still for short periods while images are captured, and you will not feel any discomfort from the tracer or the imaging process. After the scan is complete, you can immediately return to all normal activities, as the tiny amount of radioactive material used leaves your body naturally within 24 hours through urine and bowel movements.