[Radioisotopic diagnosis of regional lung functions in occupational lung diseases]

The results are reported from the radioisotope investigations of the regional blood supply, ventilation and difussion of 133 Xenon from four zones of both lungs in 78 patients with all stages of silicosis and 43 patients with chronic bronchitis--emphysema. Unsystemic and scattered focal disturbances of the separate respiration processes are established. They should be given consideration separately and together with the classical non-isotope investigations, with a view to the making of a precise functional diagnosis and occupational expertise, because they reflect the changes due to the basic disease as well as the other accompanying lung diseases as pneumosclerosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, tumors, etc. The complete safety, lack of unpleasant procedures for the patient and sufficient accuracy urge their wider application in practice, including as screening tests.