OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the resistance to collateral ventilation in congenital hyperlucent lung lesions and to correlate that with the anatomic findings on xenon-enhanced dynamic dual-energy CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xenon-enhanced dynamic dual-energy CT was successfully and safely performed in eight children (median age: 5.5 years, 4 boys and 4 girls) with congenital hyperlucent lung lesions. Functional assessment of the lung lesions on the xenon map was done, including performing a time-xenon value curve analysis and assessing the amplitude of xenon enhancement (A) value, the rate of xenon enhancement (K) value and the time of arrival value. Based on the A value, the lung lesions were categorized into high or low (A value > 10 Hounsfield unit [HU]) resistance to collateral ventilation. In addition, the morphologic CT findings of the lung lesions, including cyst, mucocele and an accessory or incomplete fissure, were assessed on the weighted-average CT images. The xenon-enhanced CT radiation dose was estimated. RESULTS: Five of the eight lung lesions were categorized into the high resistance group and three lesions were categorized into the low resistance group. The A and K values in the normal lung were higher than those in the low resistance group. The time of arrival values were delayed in the low resistance group. Cysts were identified in five lesions, mucocele in four, accessory fissure in three and incomplete fissure in two. Either cyst or an accessory fissure was seen in four of the five lesions showing high resistance to collateral ventilation. The xenon-enhanced CT radiation dose was 2.3 +/- 0.6 mSv. CONCLUSION: Xenon-enhanced dynamic dual-energy CT can help visualize and quantitate various degrees of collateral ventilation to congenital hyperlucent lung lesions in addition to assessing the anatomic details of the lung.
Administration, Inhalation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/abnormalities/*radiography ; Lung, Hyperlucent/*congenital/physiopathology/*radiography ; Male ; *Pulmonary Ventilation ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Xenon/administration & dosage/*diagnostic use

We report here on the redistributed regional ventilation abnormalities after the administration of a bronchodilator and as seen on xenon-inhaled dual-energy CT in a patient with asthma. The improved ventilation seen in the right lower lobe and the decreased ventilation seen in the right middle lobe after the administration of a bronchodilator on xenon-inhaled dual-energy CT could explain a positive bronchodilator response on a pulmonary function test. These changes may reflect the heterogeneity of the airway responsiveness to a bronchodilator in patients with asthma.
Albuterol/*administration & dosage ; Asthma/*physiopathology/*radiography ; Bronchodilator Agents/*administration & dosage ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Radiation Dosage ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Xenon/diagnostic use

The regional cerebral blood flow of four patients with delayed carbon monoxide sequelae and four age matched controls was measured, using a xenon inhalation CT scan (GE 9800). Variable patterns of decreased cerebral blood perfusion according to the clinical state of the patient were noted among the patients. Follow up studies, 2 months later, indicated that there was a correlation between the fluctuation of symptoms and the changes in regional cerebral blood flow. It is suggested that the impairment of cerebral perfusion may play a critical role in delayed carbon monoxide sequelae.
Administration, Inhalation ; Aged ; Brain/*blood supply ; Brain Ischemia/chemically induced/physiopathology/*radiography ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/*complications ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Regional Blood Flow/drug effects ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Xenon/administration and dosage/diagnostic use