[Use of a portable CT scanner for monitoring ventilated patients in an intensive care unit].
PURPOSE: Evaluation of postoperative pulmonary atelectasis using a portable computed tomography (CT) unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5 spiral CT-examinations in low-dose technique were performed on each of 10 patients with partial pulmonary atelectasis after coronary bypass surgery. The patients were artificially ventilated using different levels (0 to +15 cm H2O) of positive end-exspiratory pressure (PEEP). The changes in atelectatic volumes were determined for each side. RESULTS: In 6 patients the primary volume of atelectasis was larger on the left side than on the right. Atelectatic volumes decreased with increasing PEEP. Re-expansion of atelectases was significantly (p < 0.01) better with a PEEP of +15 cm H2O. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography allows visualisation of postoperative atelectasis reliably, even in the low-dose technique. Concordantly, additional therapeutically relevant side findings can be detected compared to conventional chest X-ray. Risky patient transport becomes unnecessary.