1982 Volume 31 Issue 6 Pages 324-333
Allergen- or mediator-induced bronchospasm was studied by ^<81m>Kr ventilation image to determine it's sensitivity and safety as an assessment method. Twelve children with house dust sensitive asthma were subjected to inhalationof house dust, prostaglandin F_2α, or methacholine by ultrasonic nebulizer with ^<81m>Kr gas. During the examination dynamic ventilation images of both lungs were monitored on oscilloscope to see the changes in the ventilation images. This kind of provocation test has the following advantages compared to the conventional provocation tests. 1) There is no induction of severe attack by provocation when inhalation of antigen or mediator is stopped at the initiation of change on the ventilation image. 2) There is no overload to the patient as compared to the conventional provocation tests. 3) Analysis of the ventilation images stored in the computer can reveal the area of ventilation disturbance in the lung and the changes can be expressed quantitatively.
