A Ventilaton Lung Scan Can Detect Lung DiseaseThere are many things that can go wrong in the lungs. There can be embolisms, lung cancer, emphysema, asthma, and much more. Treatment of each of these conditions or diseases is different so it is important that the individual in question receive the correct diagnosis so that they can get the most appropriate treatment possible. Some ways to look at the lungs is via cat scans, x-rays, lung perfusion and with a ventilation lung scan. Each of these procedures offers different value to the diagnosis of a person, however, each one is for a different purpose and show different things. X-rays are commonly used to discover if there are tumors, scarring, or damage to the lungs. It is the most commonly used method of checking for lung cancer, however, it cannot determine if something is actually cancer, it can only show masses and damage, to determine if a mass is cancer, then a biopsy must be performed. CAT scan can be used to discover the extent of damage in the lungs and to see if obstructions occur in the lungs as well. Lung Perfusion and the ventilation lung scan are used to determine the flow of gases and air in the lungs. They are typically performed at the same time but can be done separately depending on what the doctor thinks is wrong. A lung perfusion is a process by which the blood flow to the lungs is assessed. This is achieved by the person being tested is injected intravenously with radioactive particles which get trapped in the small blood vessels making them show up clearly in a scan making it easy to track how the blood flows through the lungs. The ventilation lung scan starts with the patient inhaling radioactive gas through a mask. The gases flow the same way as air would through the lungs showing if the lungs are working properly and holding air the way it should. The lung perfusion and ventilation lung scan are used when a person coughs up blood, who has chest pain, and difficulty breathing. These test can show embolisms and lung disease like cancer, however it does not determine that it is cancer only that the their is disease of the lungs. The risk to the patient is minimal because such low doses of radiation is used, and these test can potentially lead to an appropriate diagnosis which can save many lives. |