The role of 133Xe ventilation studies in the scintigraphic detection of pulmonary embolism.

The angiographic, scintigraphic, and clinical data of 40 patients were reviewed in order to define the role of 133Xe ventilation studies in the radionuclide detection of pulmonary embolism. Two independent observers interpreted the perfusion images, and several weeks later reinterpreted them in conjunction with 133Xe ventilation studies. Overall diagnostic accuracy was significantly improved (p less than 0.05) when the xenon studies were included. The combined studies were slightly more sensitive and significantly more specific (p less than 0.05) for pulmonary embolism than the perfusion images alone.