Ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy. Multiple applications besides pulmonary embolism.

Ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy is the diagnostic tool of choice for detection and monitoring of pulmonary embolism. However, the knowledge on its value for other or concurrent pathologies is poor. In this review scintigraphic characteristics of the main pathologies, interpretation and artefacts are described. Together with the understanding of pathophysiology of the lung, the potential gain of information derived from ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy is much higher than generally believed. In conclusion, ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy not only in PE but also in other lung diseases is underused, its value and clinical potential underestimated.