Lung metastatic calcification in long-term dialysis patients, detected by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Abstract

Background. Metastatic lung calcification (MLC) is an important complication in long-term dialysis patients, causing respiratory disturbance. We used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in lung (L-SPECT) to detect the distribution of MLC. Methods. L-SPECT with 99m technetium hydroxymethylenediphosphonate was performed in 59 patients who had been on maintenance dialysis for more than 5 years. The accumulation count ratios were calculated from counts in the upper lung field (UL), lower lung field (LL), basal lung field along the diaphragm (BASE), and the cardiac pool (POOL). Distribution patterns of radionuclide were classified into four groups. Pulmonary function tests and blood examinations were performed.