Facilitation of aerosol ventilation scanning for diagnosis of pulmonary emboli in uncooperative dyspneic patients.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is a common cause of death in hospital patients. Quick and accurate diagnosis significantly decreases mortality. Many medical facilities still have ventilation/perfusion lung scans as the only available and preferred screening test for suspected PE. Although testing requires the patient's cooperation, many patients with PE are dyspneic and uncooperative.This case report illustrates a novel method of obtaining high-quality radionuclide aerosol ventilation scintigraphs in uncooperative patients by means of an easy to use hood (BabyAir; BabyBreath, Or Akiva, Israel). There is no need for patients to neither undertake difficult breathing maneuvers nor to use a mouth-piece or mask.