Aerosol deposition in automatic dosimeter nebulization.

A new dosimeter nebulization method was studied in 10 asthmatics and 8 normal volunteers by delivering fixed doses of 99mTc-traced radioaerosol in 0.2 s periods of tidal breathing. Two separate inspiratory phases were studied with the onset of nebulization, when in the earlier phase 15% and in the later phase 60% of tidal volume was inhaled. Further, bronchodilator administration was analogically assessed in the asthmatics. In healthy subjects, the total lung deposition was 17% greater in the earlier phase (p less than 0.005) than in the later one. In asthmatics, the difference was not significant. The losses of aerosol outside the lower respiratory tract were minimized, in the mouthwashing 0.3% and in the exhaled air 1.4%. The onset of nebulization (early or late) had no significant effect on bronchodilation with salbutamol in asthmatics. We conclude that the present dosimeter method is useful for efficient delivery of radioaerosols and drugs, and for standardization of bronchoprovocation.