[A new method of combined inhalation and perfusion scintigraphy for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (author's transl)].

The combined inhalation and perfusion scintigraphy as a specific identification method of thromboembolism of the lung was tried out in 132 patients. A fine aerosol with selected droplet size was produced in a newly developed atomiser device and inhaled by taking a few deep breaths. Perfusion scintigraphy, which was performed immediately after inhalation scintigraphy, was effected with the same radioisotope, 99mTechnetiun. The disadvantages of inhalation scintigraphy, which are inherent in the method itself, were reduced to such an extent that it was possible to distinguish clearly between primary and secondary disturbances of pulmonary perfusion even in obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, provided perfusion was disturbed in sufficiently large areas, i.e. of segment or lobe size.