99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability in patients with HIV disease.
Lung 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability has been widely used to assess the integrity of the lung alveolar-capillary interface. The use in HIV positive patients to provide a rapid assessment of causes of breathlessness or fever is discussed in this overview. There is I believe a clear role for this technique in this group of patients. It is more sensitive than Gallium-67 scanning in defining lung disease and is capable of distinguishing between alveolitic processes and bacterial infections of Kaposi sarcomatous infiltration. The 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability can also define the absence of lung involvement in those patients with a fever to allow more suitable investigation to proceed. The 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability measurement is a rapid, easy method of evaluating patients with HIV disease. Depending on the clinicians philosophy it can be used as a basis to initiate treatment or at the very least point to the next necessary investigation.
O'Doherty
M J
MJ
St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
D015824:Blood-Air Barrier; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010539:Permeability; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate