Abstract
We have investigated Technetium 99m erythromycin lactobionate (Tc 99m EL) clearance from the lungs after inhalation, in the presence of an alveolitis. Eighteen patients (6 sarcoidosis, 7 idiopathic fibrosis, and 5 miliary tuberculosis) were imaged after the patients inhaled 1,110 MBq of Tc 99m EL. Clearance half time for the first 45 min, for 24 h, and retention at 24 h correlated with percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) ( r =.729 , r =.883 , and r =.826 , respectively). There was a positive correlation between peripheral penetration (PP) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1) ( r =.806 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC) ( r =.781 ). Retention was more marked in sarcoidosis compared with tuberculosis (0.025 < p ≤ 0.05). Radioaerosol lung imaging may reflect the pulmonary function impairment in parenchymal lung diseases. Retention of Tc 99m EL may be related to number of BAL cells or presence of a lymphocytic alveolitis. Long residency time of Tc 99m EL in the lungs implies that erythromycin can also be administered by inhalation for therapeutic purposes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have