Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Xe-133 scintigraphic findings before and after bronchopulmonary lavage

Clin Nucl Med. 1993 Feb;18(2):123-5. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199302000-00007.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was treated by repeated unilateral bronchopulmonary lavages over 6.5 years. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by Xe-133 scintigraphy as well as lung function tests and chest roentgenograms. Xe-133 scintigraphy clearly demonstrated improvement of regional ventilation and perfusion, and equalization of the ventilation and perfusion ratio. Therefore, Xe-133 scintigraphy was found to be useful in the analysis of changes in regional aeration, ventilation, and perfusion before and after bronchopulmonary lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / therapy
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Therapeutic Irrigation
  • Xenon Radioisotopes*

Substances

  • Xenon Radioisotopes