Radiospirometry and perfusion scintigraphy in bronchiectasis
Zaorska-Rajca, J.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie 34(6): 455-461
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5147 PMID: 7269590 Document Number: 171555
Radiospirometry and perfusion scintigraphy were carried out in 10 patients with unilateral bronchiectases. Results were compared to similar investigations in 10 healthy volunteers and 20 patients with chronic spastic bronchitis. In bronchiestases cases abnormalities were demonstrated in both investigations with asymmetry of the observed changes. The most frequent findings were reduced ventilation, reduced perfusion (even its absence), decreased total capacity and vital capacity, increased residual volume in the region containing bronchiectases and significant impairment of perfusion in the whole lung with bronchiectases. This asymmetry with intensification of disturbances in the area of bronchiectases and restrictive changes in this part of the lungs differentiated bronchiectases from chronic bronchitis. Apparently, radiospirometry and perfusion scintigraphy of the lungs are useful in the diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary function disturbances in patients with bronchiectases and in differentiating these cases from chronic bronchitis.