Observations on regional ventilation and perfusion in kyphoscoliosis

Studies of regional ventilation and perfusion have been made in 10 patients with kyphoscoliosis. In 7 of the 10 patients ventilation was more severely impaired in the region of the maximum convexity than in the opposite lung. Perfusion was not impaired to the same degree. The resulting locally diminished ventilation-perfusion ratios may account for the hypoxemia and increased PA-aO2 gradient seen in patients with kyphoscoliosis. It is suggested that the local distortion of the chest wall, with the splayed out ribs, may account for the local change in lung mechanics.