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Official Description

Pulmonary ventilation imaging, gaseous, single breath, single projection

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 78591 refers to pulmonary ventilation imaging, which is a diagnostic imaging technique used to assess the ventilation of the lungs. During this procedure, the patient inhales a radioactive gas, specifically Xenon, which is a noble gas that does not react chemically within the body. The inhalation of this gas allows for the visualization of lung function through imaging. A specialized camera captures images of the lungs as the gas is inhaled, highlighting areas that may be poorly ventilated. This imaging technique is crucial for identifying potential respiratory issues, as it provides valuable information about the distribution of air within the lungs and can help in diagnosing various pulmonary conditions. The single breath and single projection aspects of the procedure indicate that the imaging is performed after a single inhalation of the gas, capturing a snapshot of lung ventilation at that moment.

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