Diagnosis of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula using ventilation scintigraphy

Occult bronchopleural fistulas are frequently present when empyemas develop in a postpneumonectomy space. Recognition of the bronchial stump disruption can be difficult, which may lead to delays or errors in the management of these difficult problems. We report the use of xenon ventilation nuclear scintigraphy as an effective noninvasive means of confirming the diagnosis of occult postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas.