Radiopharmaceuticals for lung ventilation scintigraphy

Pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy is a key examination for assessing regional lung function, with important implications for the management of numerous pulmonary diseases. Several radiopharmaceuticals are available for ventilation imaging, such as gases tracers (133Xe and 81mKr) or aerosol-based radiopharmaceuticals ([99mTc]Tc-DTPA; Technegas, Cyclopharm Limited, Kingsgrove, Australia), each with specific physical and technical characteristics that influence image quality, practical implementation, and clinical interpretation. The choice of tracer therefore has direct consequences for diagnostic accuracy and workflow in routine practice. This review summarizes the main agents currently used for ventilation scintigraphy and outlines their respective properties, advantages, and limitations.