Quantitative indices are described for assessing the distribution of ventilation imaging agents (radioaerosols, in particular) within the lung. They have been applied to images obtained with 99Tcm aerosol particles (0.5-2.0 micrometer diameter) and with 81Krm gas in 12 patients with a wide range of lung function. In patients with normal lung function aerosol distribution was similar to that of 81Krm. In patients with airways obstruction, the aerosol tended to penetrate less well than 81Krm to the lung periphery and to show a less homogeneous distribution there. Quantitative analysis confirms that the aerosol technique is an effective substitute for 81Krm in patients with normal lung function. When lung function is impaired aerosol images may still be valuable particularly in confirming a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism though they must be interpreted with caution in attempting to exclude that diagnosis. We conclude that small particle radioactive aerosols provide a readily available ventilation technique for clinical ventilation-perfusion imaging.

Protective lead equivalent shielding of patients is not routinely used in veterinary radiology. The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of lead equivalent shielding results in a significant reduction in dose of radiation to dogs during acquisition of elbow radiographs. The authors measured radiation doses in the primary beam and over and under protective lead equivalent shielding that was placed at the level of the eyes, body and gonads during acquisition of elbow radiographs using 0.01 mSv sensitivity dosimetry badges. Shielding consisted of 0.5 mm lead equivalent aprons and thyroid shields placed over bodies and eyes, respectively. All badges in the primary beam-detected radiation. Shielding significantly decreased the dose of radiation with significantly less scatter and tube leakage radiation detected under compared with over shielding (P=0.0001). The dose of radiation detected over shielding was significantly greater than zero (P=0.0001), while that under shielding did not differ significantly from zero (P=0.09). Based on these results, the authors recommend protective shielding be used on veterinary patients during radiography.

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Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is usually detected by fluoroscopy or on cine films during coronary angiography, but measurement of the calcification is not possible. Gated tomography of the heart provides a full sized image with high contrast spatial resolution of 0.1 mm and low contrast spatial resolution of 0.76 mm. The radiation exposure to the heart is between 1-5% of that experienced with coronary cinefluorography . Measurement of the diameter of calcium deposits is possible and calcium that could be related to arterial stenosis may be identified.