Bronchiectasis in childhood. Comparison of chest roentgenograms, bronchography and lung scintigraphy

In 76 children, 102 unilateral bronchograms were compared with the results of chest radiography and Tc-99m perfusion scintigraphy to assess the presence of bronchiectasis. Additional Kr-81m ventilation lung scintigraphy was obtained in 16 patients. For the chest radiograph the sensitivity was 73% and the specificity was 76%. For lung scintigraphy the sensitivity was 92% and the specificity 60%. When both chest radiography and lung scintigraphy were considered, sensitivity reached 96% and specificity fell to 53%. Forty per cent of the bronchrograms which were performed might have been avoided on the basis of the normal chest radiograph and lung scintigraphy. The combination of lung scintigraphy and chest radiography is an excellent screening method when a decision on the advisability of bronchography is being taken in children.