FAQs
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No special preparation is required for this procedure.
If there is any chance you may be pregnant or you are breastfeeding, please contact us directly for specific instructions.
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There are two phases to the process.
- A ventilation phase where you will need to breathe in a vapour or gas that shows where the lungs are filling with air. This is followed immediately with a scan that takes approximately 10 minutes.
- The second phase is the perfusion phase. This requires an injection into the middle of the arm. This injection is trapped by the lung tissues and demonstrates the distribution of blood supply to the lungs. Another scan is then performed for approximately 10 minutes.
There are no known side effects to the tracers used.
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The entire V/Q scan generally takes up to 1 hour.
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Queensland X-Ray has the latest nuclear medicine equipment, with SPECT/CT available across all departments.
One of our nuclear medicine technologists will perform your V/Q scan, under the supervision of one of our nuclear medicine specialists.
The images the technologist acquires are reviewed by a specialist who reports on the findings. The report will be sent to your referring doctor, who will explain the findings to you. Technologists performing the scan do not discuss scan results with you.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.