[Xenon 133 pulmonary scintigraphy. Its significance in the preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function in adolescents with kyphoscoliosis prior to vertebral arthrodesis].

The pulmonary scintigraphy with xenon 133. On its interest in the pre-operative exploration of the kyphoscoliotic youth's lung function before vertebral arthrodesis. The classical functional lung exploration (spirometry, arterial blood gas) gives only a general aspect of the pulmonary function. On the other hand, the pulmonary scintigraphy with Xe 133 studying perfusion as well as ventilation gives into evidence some troubles concerning the distribution of the regional lung volumes together with a general or local increase of the lung on the scoliotic convex side; the base of the latter, whose volume is more important, is the seat of a physiological dead space. The lung on the scoliotic concave side shows a proportional reduction of perfusion and ventilation. We consider this investigation, harmlessly and easily carried out, as essential to observe the evolution of the young scoliotic patients' lung function.