Roentgeno-Histological Studies on Serial Alveolography

Abstract

Using the lung obtained from a 22-year-old female at autopsy, roentgeno-histological studies were carried out on serial alveolography. The pulmonary lymphatics were shown to play an important role in the wash-out of the contrast media. The contrast media injected into the alveolus was gradually transferred on and into the alveolar wall and finally entered the subpleural space. Inflow of the contrast media was further noted into the portion probably representing the “juxta-alveolar lymphatic capillary” according to Lauweryns. Since local edema occurs artificialy in serial alveolography, the functional aspects of fluid clearance may also be studied simultaneously unlike the conventional alveolography with its emphasis on morphological diagnosis.