It is a nuclear imaging test that measures blood flow (perfusion) in the lungs. In this test, a radioactive albumin tracer is injected into the patient’s vein, and a set of images are taken with the help of a gamma camera. Your doctor may advise this test to find out a pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs).
No Special Preparation. Informed Consent Required.
Next Day*
Pneumonia Respiratory Pulmonology
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It is commonly used to:
Detect or rule out a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
Assess lung function before surgery (e.g. lung cancer surgery)
Monitor or diagnose chronic lung conditions like COPD or pulmonary hypertension
A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm.
A gamma camera tracks the movement of the tracer as it flows through the blood vessels in your lungs.
You lie still while the camera takes images—this usually takes 15–30 minutes.
The scan itself is painless. The only discomfort may come from the small needle used for the injection.
Yes, depending on your condition:
CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
D-dimer blood test (screening for clots)
MRI or Ultrasound (in special cases)
