Objectives: The presence of a significant segmental mismatch in a V/Q scan may indicate a possible Pulmonary Embolism (PE). The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for manufacturing an anatomical, fully segmented lung QC phantom for planar and SPECT V/Q scans. It is expected that the proposed phantom will be very helpful in accurately modeling mismatch events throughout V/Q scans, and therefore aiding QC.

Methods: We aim to undertake gradual steps in manufacturing the phantom. An existing segmented lung model cast from an actual human lung was used to acquire the exterior lung shape and bronchopulmonary segmental measurements. A fully segmented lung model with 20 individual bronchopulmonary segments will be manufactured from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using these dimensions. An empty lung cavity, based on the exterior lung shape, will also be manufactured from PMMA. Perfusion ‘defects’ will be introduced into the cavity by selectively adding the solid anatomical PMMA lung segments. Expanded polystyrene beads (EPS) will be used to resemble the lung alveoli. Two valves will be installed in each lung cavity in such a way as to facilitate filling and draining the lung cavity with 99mTc solution and the EPS beads.

Results: The outcome from this study will be a lung QC system consisting of a perfusable lung cavity and anatomical bronchopulmonary segments. This system will allow the modelling of interchangeable perfusion defects.

Conclusion: The proposed methodology will produce a promising QC phantom that can introduce perfusion deficiencies in any desired bronchopulmonary segments.