[Mucociliary clearance in childhood].
OBJECTIVE
A new, nearly monodisperse human serum albumin particle produced by air-pressure-nebulization was inhaled by children and lung-transplant patients.


METHODS
After inhalation of the particles obtained with an air-pressure nebulizer, the initial deposition pattern showed a marked tracheobronchial deposition which could be reproducibly obtained without a special breathing technique, the alveolar deposition being not higher than 10%. With the use of 99mTc, the radiation exposure is limited to a level which is low enough for children, but images can be taken up to 24 hrs later. Further parameters for in vivo characterization of the mucociliary function are the 24 h retention pattern and the velocity of particle motion in the trachea.


RESULTS
Within the first 45 minutes, the global clearance rate was 51% in healthy children, which is rather high in comparison with the literature, most likely due to size of particles and the selection of patients with a mean age of 10.7 years. In ciliary dysfunction, the initial clearance rate was 16% and 46% within 24 h.


CONCLUSIONS
With simplification of the preparation, application, and examination technique, this method is to be used in children, so that a wider use can be anticipated. The normally fast initial elimination of particles allows quick differentiation of normal and impaired ciliary function.
Kotzerke
J
J
Abteilung Nuklearmedizin und spezielle Biophysik, Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover.
von der Hardt
H
H
Wiese
H
H
Seidenberg
J
J
Beyer
R
R
Hundeshagen
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002925:Ciliary Motility Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
Die mukoziliare Clearance im Kindesalter.