Lung ventilation imaging

Lung ventilation imaging is a diagnostic technique used to visualize the distribution and effectiveness of airflow within the lungs. It is frequently performed as part of a ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, which combines ventilation imaging (using inhaled radioactive gases or particles) and perfusion imaging (using injected radioactive agents) to identify conditions such as pulmonary embolism, quantify regional lung function, and detect abnormalities like COPD or pneumonia. Modalities include nuclear medicine scans (using technetium or xenon agents), xenon computed tomography, and functional MRI. Ventilation imaging provides quantitative maps of airway function, assists in disease diagnosis, and is important for preoperative assessment in lung surgery. It is not a molecular target, receptor, or protein, but rather a procedural method designed to inform clinical care.

Other names

Ventilation scanV/Q scanlung ventilation scannuclear lung scanxenon CTfunctional MRI for ventilation