Indication of mediastinal lymph nodes metastases by radioaerosol inhalation lung scanning in pulmonary neoplasm.

Fifty-three patients with pulmonary neoplasm were studied by radioaerosol inhalation and perfusion lung scans, bronchoscopy and spirometry. The probability of lymph node metastases could be estimated by the amount of inhaled aerosol deposited at the carina. On thoracotomy, actual mediastinal lymphadenopathy was minimum, if any, in 4 patients without carinal aerosol deposition. Application of the aerosol inhalation lung scan to pulmonary neoplasm provides useful diagnostic and prognostic information regarding mediastinal lymph nodes metastases.