Use of radionuclides in the diagnosis of thromboembolism of venous origin: its potential and limitations. A review.

The review discusses the potential and limitations of radionuclide (RN) techniques of examination in diagnosing thromboembolic disease of venous origin. The advantages and drawbacks of perfusion pulmonary scintigraphy as the most commonly used method are weighed especially with a view to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). The need for a combined examination including inhalation scintigraphy and chest X-ray is underlined. The criteria for interpreting results of RN techniques of examination in assessing the presence of PE are defined. Of the methods used in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis, the benefits and limitations of the fibrinogen uptake test (FUT) and radionuclide venography (RNV) are pointed out. When comparing RNV with X-ray phlebography, the authors found a low sensitivity in the crural area (54%) and, on the contrary, a 100% agreement in the areas of iliac veins and the vena cava inferior.