Diagnosis of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula using ventilation scintigraphy.
Occult bronchopleural fistulas are frequently present when empyemas develop in a postpneumonectomy space. Recognition of the bronchial stump disruption can be difficult, which may lead to delays or errors in the management of these difficult problems. We report the use of xenon ventilation nuclear scintigraphy as an effective noninvasive means of confirming the diagnosis of occult postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas.
Pigula
F A
FA
Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
Keenan
R J
RJ
Naunheim
K S
KS
Ferson
P F
PF
Landreneau
R J
RJ
D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes
D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes