Radioaerosol inhalation lung scan in evaluation of mucociliary transport system after tracheobronchoplastic procedures
Suzuki, T.; Ishihara, T.; Kubo, A.; Hashimoto, S.; Kosuda, S.
Nihon Kyobu Geka Gakkai 34(10): 1816-1822
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0369-4739 PMID: 3805816 Document Number: 268385
The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of various operations for the respiratory tract on mucus transport by means of radioaerosol inhalation lung scan. Clearance of inhaled Tc-99m-tagged aerosol from the tracheobronchial tree was monitored serially for 120 minutes by a gamma camera interfaced to a computer system. To estimate the function of the mucus transport system, the movement of bolus of radioactivity in the airway was observed by cinematic display of 120 serial images. Lung retention of radioactivity after 120 minutes was also quantified using computer analysis. Surgery with tracheobronchoplastic procedures was associated with transient impairment of mucus transport at the level of the airway distal from the anastomosis. But this impairment was likely to improve gradually. In patients who underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection, the difference of mucociliary transport between the operated side and other side could not be demonstrated. This finding suggested that impairment of mucus transport of the tracheobronchial tree was not an inevitable complication of mediastinal lymph node dissection.