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Ventilation-perfusion scintigram in diabetics.
K Uchida1, K Takahashi, R Aoki
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Annals of Nuclear Medicine
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Diabetic patients often show abnormal pulmonary perfusion, impacting lung function. Scintigraphy reveals perfusion defects are more common than ventilation issues, correlating with reduced diffusing capacity in diabetics.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nuclear Medicine
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with various microvascular and macrovascular complications.
- Pulmonary complications in diabetic patients are not well-characterized.
- Assessing lung function in diabetics is crucial for understanding disease impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pulmonary perfusion and ventilation abnormalities in young diabetic patients.
- To correlate scintigraphic findings with pulmonary function tests, specifically diffusing capacity.
- To explore the relationship between diabetes duration and pulmonary changes.
Main Methods:
- 20 diabetic patients under 50 years underwent ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy using 99mTc-MAA and 133Xe.
- Pulmonary function tests, including diffusing capacity, were performed.
- Scintigraphic findings were categorized as minimal nonuniformity (MNU) or nonsegmental defect (NSD).
Main Results:
- Perfusion scintigrams revealed MNU in 20% and NSD in 40% of patients.
- Ventilation scintigrams showed defects in 5% and delayed washout in 15%.
- Patients with NSD had lower diffusing capacity and longer diabetes duration; perfusion defects correlated with decreased diffusing capacity.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary arterial perfusion abnormalities are frequent in young diabetics.
- Perfusion defects, more common than ventilation issues, significantly correlate with reduced diffusing capacity.
- Disturbances in pulmonary perfusion may contribute to impaired gas exchange in diabetic patients.