Impact of single photon emission tomography combined with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in pulmonary examinations — short review with two case reports

Abstract

The hybrid ventilation/perfusion (V/P) examination SPECT/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy of lung scintigraphy for pulmonary embolism (PE). It reduces the false-positive results and increases the specificity of examinations. The co-registered V/P and CT scans provide more precise functional information, as well as additional data about pulmonary parenchyma, pleural and mediastinal structures. The CT acquisition is typically low-dose and can be implemented with little additional acquisition time and radiation exposure. It is convenient as a primary examination for patients with contrast-related contraindications, young patients and premenopausal women, because of the low whole body and breast exposure. It can be also used for the follow-up of the patients’ recovery, for functional quantification, radiotherapy planning and for the prediction of radiation-associated complications. Two clinical cases from our practice present the impact of SPECT/CT application in the primary diagnosis and in the follow-up of patients with pulmonary embolism.