[133Xe (xenon) study of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion with a gamma camera]

Pulmonary ventilation and perfusion on regional level was measured by determining the distribution and elimination of introduced by inhalation 133He-gas, accordingly of intravenously injected 133He-solution. Fifty seven patients 7 to 60 years of age were included in the study, distributed by diagnoses, as follows: pulmonary thromboembolism 24 patients, 16 children with recurrent bronchopneumonia, pneumonia 10, central lung cancer 4, lung echinococcus 2 and one patient with LTE associated with chronic obstructive lung disease. All had ventilatory and subsequent perfusion dynamic scintigraphy. Ventilation was measured by the single breath technique. Perfusion scintigraphy was performed by the foregoing scheme, but by intravenous injection of 133He-solution. The entry, distribution and elimination of 133He-solution. The entry, distribution and elimination of 133He-gas and accordingly 133He-solution were followed up on gamma-camera display, and the time of radioactive gas elimination from the lungs was determined. Being practicable and nontraumatic, ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy may be repeated several times. This fact helps to follow up the evolution of the disease and the effect of conservative or surgical treatment. The results give an idea of the topographic and functional diagnosis of lung diseases.