Role of quantitative perfusion scintigraphy evaluation in determination of the efficiency of the procedure before lung volume reduction coil treatment for severe emphysema

Lung volume reduction coil (LVRC) is a new treatment method which exercise capacities among the patients with severe emphysema. In order to determine the emphysema distribution before LVRC treatment, we examined the contribution of combination of the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lung and the quantitative perfusion scintigraphy to the efficiency of the procedure. The study was conducted retrospectively. The densitometry analysis and scores of emphysema areas of the patients who were found suitable for LVRC treatment in HRCT were determined. Before the procedure, the quantitative lung perfusion scintigraphies were taken. Lobes which had high emphysema score and in which a decrease perfusion was observed in quantitative perfusion scintigraphy were determined as treatment areas. A total of 22 patients were treated. In HRCT it was observed that perfusion decreased in lobes in which the emphysema damage scoring was high. A significant statistical difference was found between pre-and post- procedure measurements in terms of FEV , RV, and TLC (p