Ventilation-Perfusion Scintigraphic Correlation With Multimodality Imaging in a Proven Case of Swyer-James (Macleod's) Syndrome

The scintigraphic findings in a rare case of a unilateral matched ventilation perfusion defect, Swyer-James (Macleod's) syndrome, are presented. A 40-year-old man underwent ventilation/perfusion imaging for acute onset of dyspnea. The scan showed markedly diminished ventilation, vascular flow, and perfusion unilaterally on the left hemithorax. Chest radiography showed hyperlucency of the left lung. Pulmonary angiography showed left-sided hypovascularity, and the CT scan of the chest showed apical bullae and peribronchial thickening of the left lung. Ventilation/perfusion imaging and other radiologic assessment, along with the patient's medical history, confirmed the diagnosis of the Swyer-James syndrome. This condition should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient with unilaterally matched ventilation/perfusion deficits without an obvious etiology.