Patterns of Distribution and Clearance of Aerosols in Patients with Bronchiectasis1,2

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Abstract
Pulmonary distribution and clearance of inhaled aerosols were studied in 14 patients with bronchiectasis confirmed by bronchography. Abnormalities in the deposition of the particles were present in 8 patients, who demonstrated a central deposition of particles in the lungs; such a pattern of deposition is abnormal for the size of particles and the pattern of breathing used during inhalation. These 8 patients had more marked airway obstruction and more severe symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Fewer particles were deposited in areas with localized saccular bronchiectasis than in the contralateral nonbronchiectatic areas. Abnormalities in clearance were apparent in all patients. They were characterized by abnormally slow clearance rates immediately after inhalation of the particles and by the presence in the photoscintigrams of juxtahilar areas of accumulation of particles. There were no significant differences between these patterns of clearance and those found in patients with bronchitis without bronchiectasis.

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