NEW ROENTGENOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

During the past two years, we have been utilizing a technique of making roentgenographs of the chest in asthmatic persons that has given us considerable information concerning the pulmonary function of the patient. In this report we wish to present this method and to elaborate on some of the results obtained from it.TECHNIQUE AND RESULTSThe first roentgenograph is taken during forced inspiration. Immediately after, a second roentgenograph is taken in deep expiration, the patient remaining in exactly the same position. The roentgenographs are then superimposed one on the other and studied comparatively. In placing the second film upon the first, the spinal column, especially the first dorsal vertebra, serves as a guide; the outline of the vertebral body and of the transverse processes can be clearly distinguished. Once they have been correctly superimposed, the changes of the diaphragm, ribs, and clavicles occurring during expiration are sketched on the