Xenon as a contrast agent for imaging of the airways and lungs using digital radiography.

Nonradioactive xenon was used as an inhalation contrast agent with digital radiography for imaging the airways and lungs in five healthy volunteers. Images of the ventilation of the entire lung were obtained rapidly and at a low radiation dose; while bowel gas and heart wall motion artifacts were present, distribution of ventilation was well demonstrated and reproducibility of positioning was good. This technique appears to be useful for direct and quantitative detection of ventilation distribution and defects.