[Role of various methods of examination in the detection and functional evaluation of chronic bronchitis].

An analysis of data obtained in the course of screening of 2173 persons made it possible to outline aims and objectives of the employed methods. Pneumotachography with air flow interruption under the above conditions helped to reveal persons at risk of developing chronic bronchopulmonary diseases including chronic bronchitis. Radionuclide scintigraphy of the lungs with 133Xe was indicated for a more through examination of patients with diagnosed chronic bronchitis to detect the initial signs of the development of its obstructive form.

[Dynamic scintigraphy of the lungs with 133Xe in chronic bronchitis].

A method of dynamic scintigraphy with 133Xe was used to study regional ventilation and regional pulmonary blood flow in 58 persons (14 practically healthy persons and 44 patients with chronic bronchitis). The data obtained were assessed visually and subjected to a quantitative processing according to the above-mentioned program. Quantitative distinctions in regional values of the residual volume, a ratio of the residual volume to the general capacity, the time of mixing, a half-period of washing off made it possible to distinguish clearly between two forms of chronic bronchitis (non-obstructive and a form with the noticeable obstructive syndrome).