Using 99mTc-DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung scan as compared with computed tomography to detect lung injury in blunt chest trauma.
BACKGROUND
Detection of pulmonary contusion in patients with blunt chest trauma is very important so as to commence therapy immediately to avoid irreversible damage. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) aerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy in comparison with chest computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of pulmonary contusion at acute blunt chest trauma.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with isolated blunt chest trauma were referred to the emergency department of our hospital, and nine healthy people participated in this study. Sixteen patients who had pulmonary contusion on CT scans were referred to as group 1, and 13 patients who had normal CT scans as group 2. Nine healthy people comprised a control group. 99mTc-DTPA aerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy was performed on the first day in all patients.


RESULTS
The mean half time (T1/2) and penetration index values of 99mTc-DTPA clearance were significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 compared with the control group. Among the three groups, there were no significant differences in arterial blood gas analysis except for PO2. The mean T1/2 value of 99mTc-DTPA clearance did correlate with PO2 values but not with pH, PCO2, or HCO3 values.


CONCLUSIONS
99mTc-DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung imaging may serve as a useful adjunct and supportive method to chest CT scanning for detecting mild pulmonary contusion.
Esme
Hidir
H
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University, School of Medicine, Ali Cetinkaya Campus, 03200 Afyon, Turkey. hesme@aku.edu.tr
Kaya
Eser
E
Solak
Okan
O
Yavuz
Yucel
Y
Yurumez
Yusuf
Y
Sezer
Murat
M
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015824:Blood-Air Barrier / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications
D000336:Aerosols; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate