Relationship of ventilation inhomogeneity to morphologic variables in excised human lungs.

Ventilation inhomogeneity, as assessed by the regional distribution of 133Xe and the single breath washout (SBW) curve, is compared with the morphologic aspects in excised human lungs. Morphologic measurements include central airway diameter, bronchial gland area, peripheral airway diameter, and the alveolar surface-to-volume ratio. Lung inflation with a constant concentration of 133Xe results in relatively more 133Xe distributed to the lung base than to the apex.

Abnormal lung elasticity in juvenile diabetes mellitus.

Static lung pressure-volume curves, lung volumes, spirometry, diffusing capacity for CO, and airway and total pulmonary resistance were determined in 11 young men with juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus who were not cigarette smokers. Twelve nonsmoking men of similar age without diabetes served as control subjects. Elastic recoil at low lung volumes was significantly less in the diabetics than in the control group.