Demonstrating the effect of theophylline treatment on diaphragmatic movement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients by MR-fluoroscopy.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in diaphragmatic excursion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with theophylline by MR-fluoroscopy which is an innovative method to demonstrate effectiveness of this treatment.


METHODS
Investigations were performed on a 0.3 T open MR unit. MR-fluoroscopy images of 30 patients with COPD were obtained before and after theophylline treatment. Diaphragmatic movement values were recorded for evaluation.


RESULTS
The response of the diaphragmatic movement in COPD patients treated with theophylline was evaluated by MR-fluoroscopy and an increase of 48% in diaphragmatic contractility was determined after the treatment. The increase in contractility was found to be parallel with respiratory function tests and clinical status.


CONCLUSIONS
Diaphragmatic movement and response to the medical therapy in patients with COPD can be evaluated by MR-fluoroscopy method which can allow accurate measurements.
Etlik
Omer
O
Department of Radiology, Yüzüncü Yil University, Faculty of Medicine, Van 65200, Turkey. omeretlik@hotmail.com
Sakarya
M Emin
ME
Uzun
Kursat
K
Harman
Mustafa
M
Temizoz
Osman
O
Durmus
Ahmet
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000187:drug effects*; D045853:Exhalation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000187:drug effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D013147:Spirometry; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D010276:Parasympatholytics; D013806:Theophylline