title: Localization of bronchopleural fistula using ventilation scintigraphy.
abstract: It can be difficult to localize or even lateralize the site of persistent bronchopleural fistula in patients who have undergone thoracotomy. If the site of persistent air leak can be identified noninvasively, it may be possible to repair the leak with thoracoscopic techniques and thereby avoid repeat thoracotomy. This article reports experience using 99mTc-DTPA ventilation scintigraphy to localize persistent bronchopleural fistulas in six patients. The site of bronchopleural fistula was identified in four patients. In the other two patients, no leak was identified, and the clinical course confirmed that a significant bronchopleural fistula did not exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Stanford University Hospital, California.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: DeCampli
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: McDougall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
chemical_list: D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate