Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.19.1.37 on 1 January 1964. Downloaded from iThorax (1964), 19, 37 Bronchography with Hytrast B. T. LE ROUX AND J. G. DUNCAN From the Thoracic Surgical and Radiodiagnostic Departments, The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Contrast media which outline tube systems are regarded as satisfactory. In a more critical retro- well established radiodiagnostic adjuncts. Tech- spective evaluation of these bronchograms five niques and media may be changed both to increase years later (le Roux, 1962), it was thought that the margin of safety for the patient and to improve there was justification for dissatisfaction in 45% radiographic contrast. In the radiographic demon- rather than 25% of the bronchograms. Improve- stration of bronchi, early techniques, such as the ment in bronchographic technique had made un- insufflation of barium powder through a broncho- acceptable that which in the past had been scope (Jackson, 1918) and the instillation of oily regarded as adequate. With more general use of suspensions of bismuth, were quickly discarded as the combination of sulphonamide with Lipiodol, dangerous. Iodized poppy-seed oil (Lipiodol) was marketed as Visciodol (Burrascano, 1955 ; Johnson the first practical bronchographic agent (Sicard and Irwin, 1959), the hazards of sensitivity to and Forestier, 1922) and was the only medium sulphonamide, of the formation of methaemo- in general use for many years. The main disadvan- globin, and of widespread bronchial obstruction by tage of Lipiodol was its retention in a too viscid preparation became apparent. long pul- copyright. monary parenchyma in a radio-opaque form, In the attempt to obviate these disadvantages, especially where alveolar spill had occurred, so water-soluble media were prepared. The first of that the interpretation of serial radiographs used these was diodone, combined with a thickening to demonstrate the progress of a pulmonary lesion agent such as carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl was complicated. A granulomatous reaction to the pyrrolidone. This contrast medium proved clinic- oil was also an occasional occurrence. ally unacceptable because it was excessively irri- http://thorax.bmj.com/ Dormer (1940) used Lipiodol as a vehicle for tating to the bronchi. In 1953 a new compound, the introduction of sulphanilamide powder into propyliodone, was described. It was originally the bronchi as a topical therapeutic agent in the introduced as an aqueous suspension (Dionosil control of bronchial infection. The sulphonamide Aqueous) for which the advantages of rapid dis- increased the viscosity of the iodized oil, and it appearance from the lungs and relative freedom was soon recognized that by its addition alveolar from the risks of iodism were claimed. Its use spill was diminished, contrast was greater because was, however, often followed by a febrile reaction the oil was less widely dispersed, and more com- in the patient and, although isotonic with body on September 30, 2021 by guest. Protected plete post-bronchographic evacuation of the fluids, it also proved irritating to the bronchial contrast medium was achieved by coughing, so mucosa. The hazards of local anaesthetic side- that subsequent chest radiographs commemorated effects were enhanced because of the need to less frequently and grossly previous broncho- suppress more effectively the cough reflex with graphic attempts. The combination of 8 g. of larger doses of topical anaesthetic. Propyliodone sulphanilamide powder with 20 ml. of Lipiodol in arachis oil (Dionosil Oily) was then introduced was used for bronchography in the Thoracic as an alternative to the aqueous suspension, and Surgical Unit in Edinburgh between 1950 and this was shown to be less irritating and, on serial 1955. Some 800 bronchograms were made. Two radiographs, was rarely retained in the bronchi or patients experienced such severe dyspnoea as a alveoli for longer than 48 hours. In Edinburgh consequence of bronchial obstruction by the after 1956 the oily suspension of propyliodone was viscous material that they very nearly suffocated, adopted almost routinely as a bronchographic and in a third patient the subsequent development medium. While radiographic contrast was often of acute nephritis was related to bronchography. less effective than with sulphanilamide powder in Other complications were not encountered, and iodized poppy-seed oil, reactions were not 75% of the bronchograms produced were then observed, and the standard of bronchography was 37 Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.19.1.37 on 1 January 1964. Downloaded from 38 B. T. ke Roux and J. G. Duncan regarded as adequate. When bronchography was being developed and before the scrutiny of which followed by pulmonary resection, granulomatous it was not known how complete a bronchogram reaction to the oily vehicle was not observed. had been achieved or whether only an outline of In 1957 a technique of bronchography in the oesophagus would be visible. The insufflation children was developed (le Roux and Masson, technique is precisely definable in terms of posi- 1962) which, since 1961, has been adopted for all tion, either right or left lateral, and number of patients, children and adults, who require broncho- pulmonary insufflations with the patient paralysed. graphy. This technique depends on general anaes- This technique produced uniformly satisfactory thesia with sodium thiopentone and a relaxant bronchograms with the oily suspension of Dionosil. (suxamethonium). After induction of anaesthesia More than 500 bronchograms were made and and inflation of the lungs with oxygen delivered fewer than 2% were inadequate for reaching a through a face-piece, the bronchi are examined decision on management of the patient. under direct vision. On completion of broncho- At the end of 1962 the Thoracic Surgical Unit scopy the lungs are again inflated with oxygen, and the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at and a cuffed endotracheal tube is introduced the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh were asked to under direct vision into the trachea. The cuff of assess the value of Hytrast' as a bronchographic the tube is inflated and the endotracheal tube con- medium. Hytrast is an opaque white suspension nected to a Boyle or similar machine. Inflation is with a pH of about 7, obtained by the dispersion continued with oxygen or oxygen and nitrous of a mixture of fine crystals (2-5 microns) of oxide. The patient is then turned on his right side, N(propyl-2: 3-diol)-3:5 diiodo-4-pyridone and lies on an x-ray cassette, and the x-ray tube anode 3: 5-diiodo-4-pyridone in a slightly hypotonic is positioned. A catheter is passed through the aqueous solution of sodium carboxymethylcellu- endotracheal tube and, from a 20 ml. syringe, the lose. These compounds differ from propyliodone contrast medium is injected rapidly into the and diodone in that they are not esters and do trachea. The rubber bung of the Magill T-piece is not have labile functional groupings. Esters hydro- replaced, and the lungs are inflated for five lyse in the bronchi and produce acidic ions whichcopyright. breaths. Inflation is forceful since it is by pul- are thought to be responsible for the local irritant monary inflation that the contrast medium is properties of diodone and propyliodone. The blown into the dependent lung. The radiographic iodine concentration in Hytrast (05 g. /ml.) is plate for the right lateral bronchogram is then greater than in propyliodone (0-28 g. /ml.) so that on to a exposed, the patient turned his back, radiographic contrast should be increased, and, http://thorax.bmj.com/ second cassette placed under him, and an antero- being chemically relatively inert, Hytrast should posterior view of the right side made. During the excite little in the way of reaction in the bronchi. moment of radiographic exposure the anaesthetist In mice, oral feeding produces evidence neither of holds the lungs inflated to depress the domes of acute nor of chronic toxicity. Both in experimental the diaphragm. The same procedure is then animals and in clinical practice elimination from adopted for the left side, where an oblique and not the bronchi is rapid, two to seven days, and in- a lateral view is made. The entire procedure, in- flammatory or granulomatous reaction has been cluding bronchoscopy, occupies usually less than observed neither in experimental animals nor five minutes, and it is rarely necessary to inject clinically in operative specimens removed after on September 30, 2021 by guest. Protected a supplementary dose of relaxant. The anaesthetist bronchography with Hytrast. has full control of ventilation except during bron- Hytrast was used as the bronchographic choscopy, and the technique of bronchography by medium in 50 consecutive investigations. In insufflation, as opposed to a technique which children the quantity of contrast used was demands changes in posture, is time-saving. calculated from the age of the patient plus 2 ml. Tracheo-bronchial toilet at the end of the pro- for each side; in adults 15 to 20 ml. was used for cedure usually results in the elimination by suction each side. of a considerable volume of the contrast medium. Five patients in the series of 50 had previously Another feature of this technique of broncho- been submitted to bilateral bronchography and re- graphy is that it has removed from the investiga- quired repetition of this investigation. In four, the tion all element of mystique. The need for posi- previous examination had been with Dionosil Oily tioning the patient at a number of arbitrary angles and in one with sulphanilamide powder in for arbitrary periods of time lent, for the uniniti- Lipiodol. In all five, good bronchograms were ated, an air of profundity to the experienced bron- achieved, and in all, contrast was improved in chographer. And there are no longer those moments of suspense while the radiographs are 1 Supplied by Bengue & Co.. Ltd. Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.19.1.37 on 1 January 1964.