Aerosol deposition in cystic fibrosis using an aerosol conservation device and a conventional jet nebulizer

The deposition of technetium radiolabelled aerosol within the lungs of 12 stable cystic fibrosis patients (mean age 12.7 years) was compared using the Acorn nebulizer and mouthpiece alone, and the Acorn nebulizer attached to the Mizer Aerosol Conservation Device (MACD). The total activity delivered to the patient using the MACD was 11.1% (+/- 7.8% s.d.) of the initial dose, compared to 5.8% (+/- 4.2% s.d.) with the nebulizer and mouthpiece alone (P < 0.05). With the MACD, 84% of the intrapulmonary dose was delivered to the peripheral regions, compared to 76.5% with the nebulizer and mouthpiece (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between aerosol deposition and pulmonary function. The Mizer Aerosol Conservation Device significantly increases both total intrapulmonary aerosol deposition and peripheral aerosol distribution.