Abstract
Deposition and clearance of inhale particles of water solution of Au and Tc were studied in normal subjects and patients with various pulmonary disease.
For this purpose, heterodisperse aerosols of particles were produced in a ultrasonic nebulizer. Thoracic counts and images with a Gamma camera were obtained after inhalation of the aerosol and some cases were examined from beginning of inhalation.
Results are as follows:
1) We compared the patterns of deposition and clearance observed in normal subjects and pulmonary patients. The difference of clearance among pulmonary diseases were not detectable by the methods used, because of deposition pattern of particle in the lung were varied by underlying disease.
2) Between smokers and non-smokers who showed similar deposition patterns, there were marked difference in their clearance. Tracheobronchial clearance in non-smokers occured immediately after inhalation, but in smokers clearance was delayed two-hours after inhalation
