Localization of bronchopleural fistula using ventilation scintigraphy.

It can be difficult to localize or even lateralize the site of persistent bronchopleural fistula in patients who have undergone thoracotomy. If the site of persistent air leak can be identified noninvasively, it may be possible to repair the leak with thoracoscopic techniques and thereby avoid repeat thoracotomy. This article reports experience using 99mTc-DTPA ventilation scintigraphy to localize persistent bronchopleural fistulas in six patients. The site of bronchopleural fistula was identified in four patients. In the other two patients, no leak was identified, and the clinical course confirmed that a significant bronchopleural fistula did not exist.