[A new method for the measurement of regional lung ventilation]

The measurement of regional ventilation with radioactive gases (133Xe, 81Kr) is complicated and expensive. By means of a special device the authors have produced a 99mTc-aerosol with a particle size of less than 2.5 micrometer. If this aerosol is inhaled during a slow inspiratory vital capacity manoeuvre, the distribution of ventilation can also be estimated in patients with obstructive lung diseases. Comparative measurement of ventilation distribution with 133Xe and the 99mTc-aerosol in patients with severe airway obstruction demonstrates the reliability of the aerosol deposition pattern in assessing ventilated volume distribution in the lung 132 measurements in patients with clinical signs of lung emboli demonstrate the clinical applicability of the new device.