Future possibilities in pulmonary nuclear medicine

A number of recent developments in the field of nuclear medicine are of significance for future progress in the diagnosis of lung diseases. These developments have occurred in instrumentation and radiopharmaceuticals and have not necessarily been directed toward pulmonary problems. Nevertheless, they may improve the ability to diagnose pulmonary embolism and to recognize pulmonary dysfunction other than that involving ventilation and perfusion. Along with new instrumentation and tracers, one will almost certainly see continued refinement of present techniques and diagnostic criteria which will lead to improved accuracy in interpretation of standard studies