Long VQ-scan
- Article
- 2021-02-04
Also known as lung or pulmonary ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) scans
A lung VQ scan is an imaging test that uses a ventilation (V) scan to measure the air flow in your lungs and a perfusion (Q) scan to see where the blood is flowing in your lungs.
It uses special X-ray scanners outside your body to take pictures of air and blood flow patterns in your lungs. This test can help diagnose or rule out a pulmonary embolism or a blood clot in your lungs. A VQ scan can also detect regional differences in lung blood flow and air distribution. Doctors can use VQ scans to examine the lungs for some surgeries.
Lung VQ scans are performed in radiology clinics or hospitals. There is no preparation for a VQ scan other than a recent chest X-ray. The test takes about an hour. For each scan, you must lie very still on a table while the table moves under the scanner and pictures of your lungs are taken. Before each scan, you must hold your breath for a few seconds. If you think you have trouble staying still during the test, ask your doctor to suggest ways to keep you from moving during the test. For the ventilator scan, wear a respirator mask over your nose and mouth and inhale a small amount of radioisotope gas mixed with oxygen. Before the perfusion scan, the technician will inject a small amount of a radioisotope into a vein in your arm. You may feel uncomfortable about the injection.
Lung VQ scans pose little pain or risk for most people. You may bruise the injection site. In rare cases, some people have a treatable allergic reaction to the radioisotope. This test uses small amounts of radiation from the radioisotope that you breathe in that is injected into your vein. Discuss with your doctor and the technicians conducting the test whether you are or might be pregnant. If the test is not urgent, you may have to wait until after your pregnancy to take the test. If it's urgent, the technicians will take extra steps during this test to protect your baby. Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding as radiation can pass into your breast milk. You may want to express and store enough breast milk for one to two days after your test, or you may want to bottle-feed your baby during that time.
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