An evaluation of two inert gas clearance techniques for measurement of endometrial blood flow in women
Fraser, I.S.; McCarron, G.; Hutton, B.; Macey, D.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 66(6): 551-557
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6349 PMID: 3425254 Document Number: 292628
Two methods utilizing inert gas clearance for the measurement of endometrial blood flow in non-pregnant women have been assessed and compared. A Krypton-85 rebreathing technique allowed measurement of superficial flow by means of an intrauterine semiconductor .beta.-detector probe. Intrauterine instillation of high specific activity Xenon-133 in small volumes of saline allowed endometrial flow measurement by .gamma. camera recording of the rate of clearance. Both these methods permitted calculation of absolute rates of flow and comparison of cyclical changes. Direct comparison of the techniques in the same women, and repeatability studies have shown good agreement, with calculated rates of absolute endometrial blood flow varying within the range 14-60 ml per 100 g tissue per minute. Vaginal blood flow measured simultaneously was always significantly lower (36-64%) than endometrial flow.