Lymphangiography in Patients With Pulmonary Dysfunction

Of eight patients undergoing pulmonary physiologic testing before and 24 hours after a restricted dose of ethiodized oil, one patient who received 10 ml or 0.255 ml/kg demonstrated decline in arterial oxygen pressure and pulmonary diffusion capacity associated with an x-ray film appearance of pulmonary oil embolization. There was no deterioration of pulmonary function in seven patients, who received less than 0.225 ml/kg of this substance. Of 12 patients whose chest films were evaluated for oil embolization 24 hours after lymphangiography, nine receiving less than 0.253 ml/kg demonstrated no oil embolization, whereas three receiving 0.292 ml/kg or more did develop embolization. Satisfactory lymphangiograms have been obtained with doses as low as 0.15 ml/kg. No deterioration of pulmonary function has occurred with doses of less than 0.25 ml/kg.