Clearance of 99m-technetium-labelled DTPA in asbestos-exposed subjects without clinical or radiological evidence of interstitial lung disease.

Abstract

The half-time clearance of an inhaled aerosol of 99m-technetium-labelled diethylene triamine pentacetate from lung to blood (T1/2LB) was measured using a gamma camera in 20 non-smoking subjects (mean age 54, range 40-69 years) with previous occupational asbestos exposure, but no clinical or radiological evidence of asbestosis, and 20 non-smoking normal subjects (mean age 54, range 40-62). Mean T1/2LB was 44.7 minutes (range 12-102) in exposed subjects, significantly less than 57.2 minutes (range 30.5-109) in normal subjects (P less than 0.05). There was no correlation between age and T1/2LB in either group. In exposed subjects T1/2LB showed a weak rank correlation with the membrane component of DLco (Dm) (r = 0.40, P less than 0.05) but no significant correlation with FVC, TLC, DLco, Kco, resting Pao2 or change in Pao2 on exercise. In six exposed subjects T1/2LB was shorter than in any of the normal subjects. These six did not differ from the other 14 exposed subjects in any physiological variables. T1/2LB is abnormal in some asbestos-exposed subjects without clinical, radiological or physiological evidence of asbestosis. Follow-up will show whether it is an early indicator of development of interstitial lung disease.

• Authors: A R Gellert, J A Langford, R J Winter, C A Lewis, S E Tolfree, R M Rudd
• Journal: British journal of diseases of the chest (Br J Dis Chest) Vol. 79 Issue 1 Pg. 37-42 (Jan 1985) ISSN: 0007-0971 [Print] England
• PMID: 3986111 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Asbestos
• Technetium
• Pentetic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Asbestos
• Environmental Exposure
• Half-Life
• Humans
• Lung (metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pentetic Acid (metabolism)
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Technetium