Changes in regional and overall lung function after bronchography.
This investigation compares the effects of unilateral bronchography on classical pulmonary function parameters (spirometry, CO transfer, flow-volume curve, and arterial blood gases) and radioisotopic measurements by means of 99mTc-labeled microspheres and 81mKr. The regional changes of ventilation and perfusion were quantified by a radioisotopic index, which was established for each zone of interest: explored lung and unexplored lung. The quantitative study of regional perfusion and ventilation reveals significant reduction of ventilation for lung bases, but not for lung apices. The radioisotopic measurements show a reduction of perfusion parallel to the reduction of ventilation. There is no significant correlation between traditional pulmonary function parameters and isotopic indices. Radioisotopy proved a sensitive tool for investigation of unilateral alterations.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001995:Bronchography; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008875:Middle Aged; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012119:Respiration; D013147:Spirometry