Further Studies on Respiratory Kymography in Acute Abdominal Conditions

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Abstract
Respiratory roentgenkymography is a simple and rapid examination which can be carried out even in severely ill patients. The examination was performed in 62 cases of various acute abdominal conditions, and the results are described. The method permits an objective study of the diaphragmatic and costal respiratory movements. The reduction of amplitude is as a rule proportional to the severity of the abdominal process and to its relative nearness to the diaphragm. Plateau-shaped diaphragmatic movement waves appear in the more severe cases, most often in inflammatory conditions close to the diaphragm. Such a wave, together with markedly reduced amplitude, suggests peritoneal reaction of a local nature if unilateral, or of a general nature if bilateral. The restriction of costal respiratory movements is less frequent and appears to depend on pulmonary involvement. In acute abdominal conditions of unknown origin and benign course, the kymographic appearances are usually normal. Roentgenkymography thus permits differentiation of acute abdominal conditions from acute pulmonary disease and the severe cases from the benign. It also makes possible a differential diagnosis between postoperative pulmonary complications and subdiaphragmatic processes and allows the localization of the process to the correct side of the abdomen and estimation of its severity.

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