Scintigraphic Evaluation of Inhalation Injury in Fire Victims

화재사고시 흡입에 의한 기도손상의 핵의학적 평가

  • Chun, Kyung-Ah (Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Cho, Ihn-Ho (Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Won, Gyu-Jang (Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Hyung-Woo (Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Shin, Kyung-Chul (Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Jeong, Jin-Hong (Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Gwan-Ho (Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital)
  • Published : 2006.02.28

Abstract

Purpose: Conventional chest X-ray and pulmonary function test cannot sensitively detect inhalation injury. Bronchoscopy is known to be the gold standard but it is invasive method. We evaluated whether lung inhalation/perfusion scans can sensitively detect inhalation injury of fire victims. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients (male 9, female 10, mean age 31.6 yr) of fire victims were enrolled in this study. Inhalation lung scan was performed 2 days later after inhalation injury with $^{99m}Tc$-technegas. Perfusion lung scan was performed 4 days later with $^{99m}Tc$- MAA (macroaggregated albumin). Follow up lung scans were performed 16 and 18 days later for each. Chest X-ray was performed in all patients and bronchoscopy was performed in 17 of 19 patients at the same period. Pulmonary function test was performed in 9 patients. Results: Four of 19 patients showed inhalation and perfusion defects and one showed inhalation defect but, normal perfusion scan findings. These five patients with abnormal scan findings showed abnormal bronchoscopic findings and severe respiratory symptoms. On chest X-ray, 2 of them had pulmonary tuberculosis and one of them showed pulmonary congestion. FEV1 /FVC was abnormal in 3 patients. On the follow up scan, all patients with abnormal initial scan findings showed improved findings and they had improved clinical state. Conclusion: Inhalation/perfusion lung scans can detect inhalation burn injury noninvasively in early stage and may be useful in therapeutic decision making and follow up of patients.

목적: 현재로는 각종 유독가스 흡입으로 인한 기도 손상시 기관지 내시경 검사가 가장 정확하나, 시행이 어렵고 환자에게 불편감을 주는 검사법이다. 반면, 폐환기/관류스캔은 비침습적이며 유용한 검사법으로서, 연구자들은 흡입에 의한 기도손상환자에서 조기 검사 및 추적검사를 실시하여 이들 스캔의 유용성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방법: 지하철 화재사고로 인한 기도손상이 의심되는 19명의 환자(남자: 9, 여자: 10, 평균연령 : 31.6세)를 대상으로 하였다. 사고 2일 후 $^{99m}Tc$-technegas 를 이용한 환기스캔을 실시하고, 4일 후 $^{99m}Tc$-MAA 를 이용한 폐관류스캔을 실시하였다. 비슷한 시기에 실시한 기관지 내시경 검사 소견과 스캔소견을 비교하고 환자의 증상이 호전된 후 추적검사(환기스캔은 16일 후, 관류스캔은 18일 후)를 실시하였다. 결과: 19명의 환자 중 14명은 정상스캔 소견을 보였고, 4명은 환기와 관류스캔 모두에서 결손의 소견을 보였으며, 나머지 1명은 환기스캔에서만 결손의 소견을 보였다. 비정상 소견을 보인 5명의 환자들은 스캔소견의 비정상부위와 기관지 내시경 검사에서 이상소견을 보인 부위가 유사하였고, 심한 호흡기 증상이 있었다. 흉부 X선 검사에서 이들 중 2명은 결핵을 앓은 흔적이 관찰되었다. 추적검사에서는 이상소견을 보인 모든 환자에서 스캔소견의 호전과 함께 임상소견도 호전되었다. 결론: 환기/관류 스캔은 화재에 의한 기도손상시 조기에 이를 진단할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 추적관찰에도 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

Keywords

References

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