[Regional blood flow and air level in the lung segments in recurrent and chronic bronchitis in children].

Transbronchial regional electroplethysmography was employed to measure the blood flow and air content in 67 children aged 3-15 years. Of these, 44 children suffered from chronic bronchitis and 23 from bronchiectasis. Children with recurrent bronchitis examined during the inactive phase of the disease marked by clinicoendoscopic silence were used as controls. In children with chronic bronchitis who escaped bronchial deformity, the levels of the regional blood flow were similar to those seen in the controls. Meanwhile in diffuse deforming bronchitis the reduction of the blood flow was noted in the posterobasal segments on both sides. In local deformities and bronchiectasis the levels of the air content and blood flow were decreased in the affected area whereas in the adjacent part the blood flow was more intense as compared with the symmetrical part on the opposite side, which was likely to be connected with the irritative effect of the focus of lesion.