• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.730-734
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• 1998

Background: It is important to know the location, number, size and shape of bullae before thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and chest CT may be used but with some limitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of thoracography with that of chest X-ray in preoperative detection of bullae. Meterial and Method: Thoracography was performed by injection of non-ionic water-soluble dye into pleural space in 22 primary spontaneous pneumothoraces, which underwent thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and thoracography were compared through operative finding. Results: Sensitivity and accuracy of thoracography(75% and 72.7%) were higher than those of chest X-ray(30% and 36.4%). However, specificity of thoracography(50%) was lower than that of chest X-ray (100%). There were no complications during or after thoracography. Conclusion: Thoracography is a safer and more useful method for preoperative detection of bullae when compared with chest X-ray.