Lung function declines in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and increased respiratory epithelial permeability to 99mTc-DTPA.
Respiratory epithelial clearance of 99mTc-DTPA (RC-Tc-DTPA) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were determined at intervals of 6 or 12 months in 37 untreated, nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis over a period of 6 to 36 months. PFT included the measurements of total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), FEV1, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. No difference was found between the respiratory clearance of 113mIn-DTPA (2.25 +/- 1.00%/min) and RC-Tc-DTPA (2.29 +/- 1.11%/min) in eight patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Pulmonary function decreased 15% or more in at least 2 function tests during 11 follow-up periods, but it remained stable during 47 follow-up periods. In patients whose lung function deteriorated, RC-Tc-DTPA increased to 3.51 +/- 1.55%/min; in contrast, in patients whose lung function remained stable, regardless of the initial values, RC-Tc-DTPA was normal (1.00 +/- 0.50%/min; p less than 0.001). In eight patients who were treated with corticosteroids, RC-Tc-DTPA decreased from 3.48 +/- 1.31%/min to 1.56 +/- 0.64%/min (p less than 0.001), and PFT improved. We conclude that in nonsmokers with pulmonary sarcoidosis, increased RC-Tc-DTPA is not related to dissociation of 99mTc from DTPA, RC-Tc-DTPA is increased when pulmonary function decreases, and, when increased, RC-Tc-DTPA decreases with corticosteroid therapy.
Université René Descartes, Paris, France.
T
T
Chinet
D
D
Dusser
S
S
Labrune
M A
MA
Collignon
J
J
Chrétien
G J
GJ
Huchon
D000328:Adult; D004848:Epithelium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D013997:Time Factors
D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate