Tc-99m DTPA aerosol lung clearance test in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect every organ. Involvement of the lung in systemic lupus erythematosus may be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. To evaluate alveolar epithelial damage in SLE, we studied lung epithelial permeability by measuring the clearance of inhaled Tc-99m DTPA aerosol. Twenty-three SLE patients without clinical pulmonary manifestations were studied. Of the 23 patients, 16 had normal clearance rates of Tc-99m DTPA (T1/2 > 60mins) and normal chest X-ray findings. A mild increase in the clearance rate was found in 5 cases (T1/2 between 40-60 min) and a significant increase in clearance rate in the remaining 2 (T1/2 < 40mins). Totally, 30% (7/23) of SLE patients have abnormal lung permeability. Of the 7 patients with abnormal clearance of Tc-99m DTPA, 3 had abnormal findings in chest X-rays and four had normal chest X-rays. Our study suggests that the clearance of Tc-99m DTPA aerosol may be a useful complementary study to assess pulmonary involvement in SLE.
Lin
W Y
WY
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Wang
S J
SJ
Kao
C H
CH
Hsu
C Y
CY
Lan
J L
JL
Changlai
S P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010539:Permeability; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
D000336:Aerosols; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate