Lung perfusion scan Factsheet

Introduction

A lung perfusion scan is an imaging test that shows how well blood flows around the lungs. It uses:

a Gamma camera – a large camera that measures radiation
radiotracer- a small amount of radioactive fluid that moves through the body.

The gamma camera takes pictures of the radiotracer moving through the body to show how organs and tissues are working.

A lung perfusion scan can be done to check:

congenital abnormalities or defects – differences in how your child’s lungs have developed
issues with blood flow in the lungs caused by surgery
narrowed arteries in the lungs before or after repair surgery
ventricular or atrial septal defects - holes in the heart before and after repair surgery.

Before the scan

Your child can eat and drink normally before the scan. Your child will be weighed to help calculate the correct amount of radiotracer.

The risks of radiation and allergic reactions are very low. Let your child’s treatment team know if they have any allergies.

Numbing cream

Needles can be uncomfortable for children. Numbing cream can be used on children over two years old

If your child needs numbing cream, you will need to:

ask for it before the day of the scan
arrive 30 minutes early to the appointment so it has time to work.

During the scan

Your child will not feel anything during the scan, and the camera will not touch them.

The scan takes about 30 minutes; you can stay with your child.

Generally, the steps of the scan are:

your child will lie on the scanning bed
a blanket with velcro straps may be used to help keep your child still
a small amount of radiotracer will be injected using a small needle
over ten minutes, the camera will move around to take images of your child’s chest at different angles.

After the scan

You can leave once the results are checked by a doctor or nuclear medicine scientist.

The results will be sent to your child’s doctor within a couple of days. You will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss the results.

Management

Radiation

Your child will be exposed to a small amount of radiation during the scan. The benefits of finding and treating kidney problems are greater than the small risk of this low dose.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions to radiotracer are very rare and usually mild. Your child’s doctor will talk to you about any potential risks before the scan. Let your child’s treatment team know if they have any allergies.

Supporting your child during the scan

Scans can be stressful for children. You can help by:

explaining why the test is needed and how it works in simple words
bringing comfort items like a blanket, toy, or dummy
asking the treatment team about support from Child Life Therapy services
arriving 30 minutes early if using numbing cream.