Lower Limb Venous Sonography and Isotope Lung Scan Findings in Patients Prone to Pulmonary Emboli

Venous thromboembolism is a common disorder that is difficult to diagnose clinically but carries significant mortality if untreated. Many diagnostic imaging algorithms for the detection of PTE, including ventilation perfusion lung scan, Doppler ultrasonography of lower extremity and pulmonary CT angiography. This study's aim was the comparison of Doppler ultrasonography of lower extremity with perfusion -ventilation lung scan in patients suspected for pulmonary emboli and finding the best approach for diagnosis of the suspected pulmonary emboli. One hundred twenty patients of suspected pulmonary embolism referred by internists to Doppler ultrasonography of lower limbs Department of Imam's Khomeini Hospital were studied. The patients were studied within 48 hour post suspected pulmonary emboli and evaluated with V/Q scan and Doppler ultrasonography. The prevalence of DVT in lower limbs of patients suspected of pulmonary emboli was %37.5. Results of lung scan in patients suspected pulmonary emboli are as below: High probability in %17.5, intermediate probability in %27.5, low probability in %41.5 and normal in %13.5 Results of lung scan in patients suspected for pulmonary embolism with DVT are as follow: High probability in %24.4, Intermediate probability in %33.3, low probability in %26.7 and normal in %15.6. Mean age in patients with and without DVT Was 52.53 14.13 and 56.22 17.63 year respectively. Patients suspected for pulmonary emboli with normal lung scan needs more assessment for DVT in lower extremity with Doppler ultrasonography. Normal Doppler ultrasonography of lower extremity doesnt exclude performing lung scan for approving pulmonary emboli. Doppler ultrasonography and lung scan both need evaluating patients suspected for pulmonary embolism.