[Diagnosis of bullae and blebs using contrast pleurography]

Twenty-five patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were studied with contrast pleurography. The technique was referred to that of rudy introduced. It could clearly show not only the shape of pleural surfaces and the anatomic relations of interlobular spaces, parietal and visceral pleurae, mediastinal and diaphragmatic boundaries, but also the signs of bullae and blebs, while the contrast agent flowed in pleural cavity. The diagnostic rate on bulla and bleb was 100%, which was superior to that of the plain roentgenogram. The big or small hyperlucent vesicular inflated lesions, most were multiple and got together, were observed in the lung with pneumothorax. Thoracotomies were performed in 4 cases and the locations of bullae were found to accord with the results of pleurography. Side-effect was not observed during or after this procedure.