Ventilation SPECT/CT-guided air leak management: improving precision in a long-standing surgical challenge

Marta Fuentes, María Teresa Gómez-Hernández, Andrea Peñaherrera Cepeda, Cristina Rivas, Jose Luis Aranda, Oscar Colmenares, Mario Manama, Felipe Gómez-Caminero, Pilar Tamayo and Marcelo F. Jiménez  |  February 24, 2026

This prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of preoperative ventilation single-photon emission computed tomography combined with computed tomography (vSPECT/CT) for surgical management of prolonged air leak. vSPECT/CT accurately localized air leaks and was associated with significantly shorter chest tube duration and hospital stay compared with matched controls. By enabling targeted surgical intervention, vSPECT/CT supports more efficient resolution of PAL and optimized postoperative chest drain management without increasing reoperation rates.

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