NEW ROENTGENOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR ESTIMATING MUCOUS VELOCITY IN AIRWAYS

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Abstract
Radiopaque discs of teflon mixed with bismuth trioxide were deposited in the trachea, and their motion was observed by a fluoroscopic image intensifier. Simultaneous measurements of disc movement were obtained by a previously reported cinebronchofiberscopic method and by the roentgenographic method in 6 anesthetized dogs. Mean .+-. SD tracheal mucous velocity was 8.5 .+-. 7.3 mm/min by the roentgenographic method, and 7.6 .+-. 7.1 mm/min by the cinebronchofiberscopic method. Discrepancies between the 2 methods for individual disc velocities could be accounted for by the cumulative errors of both methods. The roentgenographic method was also used in 7 normal volunteers who did not have topical anesthesia of the tracheobronchial tree. The discs were blown through the inner channel of a bronchofiberscope, the tip of which was located just above the vocal cords. Placement of the discs on the tracheal mucosa generally did not produce coughing. Tracheal mucous velocity ranged from 7.4-19.4 mm/min as estimated from videotape recordings of the image intensifier images. There was no consistent difference in velocity between the erect or supine position, or after topical anesthesia with lidocaine.

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