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. 2007 Jan;14(1):81-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2006.10.012.

Recirculation of inhaled xenon does not alter lung CT density

Jeffrey B Hoag  1 , Matthew Fuld, Robert H Brown, Brett A Simon
Affiliations

Recirculation of inhaled xenon does not alter lung CT density

Jeffrey B Hoag et al. Acad Radiol. 2007 Jan.

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: Xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe-CT) measures regional ventilation from changes in lung parenchymal CT density during the multibreath washin/washout of inhaled Xe gas. Because Xe is moderately soluble, vascular uptake and redistribution has been proposed as a confounding phenomenon. We propose that the redistribution of Xe via the circulation is negligible, and correction is unwarranted.

Materials and methods: Unilateral ventilation with 60% Xe was performed in intubated canines. Whole-lung CT images were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 5 minutes of unilateral Xe ventilation. Comparisons between blocked (B) and Xe ventilated (V) whole lung densities were made. Density of paraspinous muscle and blood (aorta, inferior vena cava) were also compared.

Results: The density of lung tissue in the V lungs increased significantly compared to B lungs after 1 minute (B -688.5 +/- 54.3 Hounsfield units [HU] vs. V -535.4 +/- 55.6 HU, P < .05) and 5 minutes (B -689.1 +/- 52.2 HU vs. V -492.9 +/- 89.1 HU, P < .05) of Xe ventilation. The density in the blocked lungs did not significantly change after either 1 or 5 minutes of ventilation with Xe. Although density tended to increase with time in the blood and muscle, the change only reached significance in muscle at 5 minutes.

Conclusions: Five minutes of ventilation with a high concentration of Xe does not cause measurable density changes in the contralateral, unventilated lung. Xe accumulation in muscle tissue limits redistribution. Correction of Xe-CT time series density data may be unnecessary.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Representative CT images from one canine: The Arndt bronchial blocker catheter is visible in the right mainstem bronchus. Note the increased density (lighter gray) in the left (ventilated) lung at 1 and 5 minutes after Xe ventilation, with no appreciable change in the blocked lung.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean Density (HU) of lung tissue in ventilated and blocked lungs at baseline and 1 and 5 minutes of unilateral Xe-ventilation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean CT tissue density (HU) in paraspinous muscle, aorta, and inferior vena cava (IVC) at baseline and 1 and 5 minutes of unilateral Xe-ventilation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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