Lung Scan in Indio, 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 Desert Medical Imaging

Desert Medical Imaging, an Indio imaging center of California sits at the forefront of preventative medicine which allows patients access to detailed information via scan technology regarding the health of the entire body. Heart, lung and brain scans are offered at this Indio scan clinic where patients are able to undergo non-invasive scans to gain insight about their overall health. For patients who may be at risk for disease, body scans are an excellent way to stay abreast of health concerns and utilize the latest medical technology. At this Indio imaging center, CT scan technology is also offered as well as MRI scan equipment and 64 slice CT scans. For patients who may be facing deteriorating bones, a bone density scan can determine the overall health and strength of bones to warrant any further needed action. Scan technology helps to get treatment started early for most patients when a disease or condition is discovered soon after its onset and treatment follows shortly thereafter.