Detection of postoperative bronchopleural fistulas by radionuclide fog inhalation

Postoperative bronchopleural fistulas may be demonstrated quickly and safely by inhalation of nebulized (99m)Tc-albumin, or other similar radiopharmaceuticals. Posterior scintiphotographs of the distribution of the inhaled radioactive material are obtained with the gammaray scintillation camera while the patient is in the upright and lateral decubitus positions. The observation of radioactive material in the pleural cavity indicates an abnormal communication.The radiation-absorbed doses for lung and total body are well within acceptable limits when a (99m)Tc tag is used. About 15 minutes are required to complete this relatively safe diagnostic test.