Applications of Ventilation Lung Imaging with^81mKrypton

Abstract

A method for the evaluation of regional lung ventilation using 81mKr eluted from a rubidium generator is described. The tracer distribution at equilibrium is a function of regional ventilation, not of volumes. The study can be performed on a wide range of patients, including unconscious and mechanically ventilated patients, and can be performed immediately following or concurrently with a perfusion study. Thus, precisely comparable ventilation and perfusion images can be obtained.

Long-term follow-up of patients with high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia

“…Another point that should be discussed is related to the method estimating ventilation. Although ventilation scintigraphy using xenon represents total lung volume, it is believed that ventilation scans using krypton represent a linear relation to tidal volume because of its short half-life [19]. However, recent work using Tc 99m -labeled ultrafine aerosol suggests that krypton gas ventilation image may reflect not only lung ventilation [20].…”

Long-term outcome in patients with prenatally diagnosed cystic lung disease: special reference to ventilation and perfusion scan in the affected lung

“…Lung perfusion scintigraphy was performed in 18 patients (24 measurements) from the age of 1 month to 13 years. Regional pulmonary ventilation and perfusion were evaluated using 81m-labeled krypton and technetium Tc 99m macroaggregated albumin, respectively [6]. The patients underwent simultaneous anterior and posterior imaging in a supine position using a computerized gamma camera.…”

Comparison of Ventilation/Perfusion Lung-Imaging and Dead-Space Measurements in Airway Disease

“…During the test, ventilation images were obtained while the patient inhaled 81mKr in air through a face mask. Radio-krypton was obtained from the MRC Cyclotron at the Hammersmith Hospital, the parent nuclide being 81Rb from which the radio-krypton emerged continuously as its radioactive breakdown product (Williams, Lyall, Vernon & Croft, 1974;Fazio & Jones, 1975;Goris, Daspit, Walter, McRae & Lamb, 1977). Ventilation and perfusion pictures were taken sequentially, the use of different energy windows on the gamma-camera allowing the technetium to be excluded when images were being made from the inhaled radio-krypton.…”