Open AccessFlow Volume Loops in Patients With Goiters
Author(s) -
James Geraghty,
Eamonn Coveney,
Michael S. Kiernan,
N. O’Higgins
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-199201000-00013
Subject(s) - medicine , goiter , volume (thermodynamics) , thyroid , physics , quantum mechanics
Plain radiology is the standard means of assessing upper airway obstruction in patients with goiters. Flow volume loop curves will provide additional information, because they allow a quantitative assessment of airflow dynamics in the respiratory cycle. Fifty-one patients had flow volume loops performed before and after thyroidectomy. There was a significant increase in the maximum inspiratory flow rate (3.9 +/- 0.2 versus 4.9 +/- 0.2 L/second, p less than 0.01) after thyroidectomy. Eight of twelve patients with normal tracheal radiology had improved airflow dynamics in the postoperative period. The flow volume loop curve is a simple noninvasive means of assessing airflow dynamics in patients with goiters and may be superior to conventional radiology.