Lung Scan in Walnut Creek, California (CA)

There are two types of lung scans. A lung perfusion scan is a nuclear medicine test that provides your doctor with a picture of blood flow to the lungs. A lung ventilation scan tells you doctor how capable your lungs are of taking in air and uses radiopharmaceuticals to produce a picture of how air is distributed in the lungs.

In most cases, lung perfusion scans and lung ventilation scans are done at the same time. These tests are performed to detect pulmonary embolisms, determine how much blood is flowing to lungs, determine which areas of the lungs are capable of ventilation, and to determine how well the lungs are functioning after surgery.

In a lung perfusion scan, a small amount of the protein labeled with a radioisotope is injected into your hand or arm vein. You will be positioned under a special camera that can detect radioactive material, and a series of photographs will be made of your chest. When these images are projected onto the screen called the oscilloscope, they will show how the radioactive protein has been distributed by the blood vessels running through the lungs.

In a lung ventilation scan, a mask will be placed over your nose and mouth, and you will be asked to inhale and exhale a combination of air and radioactive gas. Pictures are then taken that show the distribution of the gas in your lungs. Each test takes 15-30 minutes.

About Walnut Creek HeartScan

Those in the market for a Walnut Creek scan center should look no further than Walnut Creek HeartScan. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Duane D. Stephens, MD and his staff of experienced and qualified professionals are available to those seeking the services of a highly functional scan center. Using the very best in scan center technology and the most cutting edge equipment, Dr. Stephens and his staff are able to give each patient the service and accuracy they deserve in these important scans. Accuracy is very important in any scan and especially in a heart scan. Early diagnosis and detection of a patient’s injuries, diseases, and conditions can often be the difference between a successful treatment and an unsuccessful one. Having this advanced technology enables the Walnut Creek scan center to provide patients with excellent patient care and service. The Walnut Creek scan center is committed to a patient’s safety throughout the entire scanning procedure. All the proper safety measures are taken to ensure a safe and satisfying scan for the patient. Consultation is also available to those wishing to discuss any aspect of their visit with a physician. Some of the services included at the facility include body scans, brain scans, CT head scans, heart scans, bone density scans, carotid artery scans, lung scans, a virtual colonoscopy and a non-invasive angiography.