Aerosol Bolus Dispersion and Aerosol-Derived Airway Morphometry: Assessment of Lung Pathology and Response to Therapy, Part 2

ABSTRACT This review discusses the potential utility of two methods using inhaled aerosol to detect and diagnose lung disease. Part 1, published earlier,(1) focused upon aerosol bolus dispersion, which measures convective gas mixing. Here, Part 2 focuses upon aerosol-derived airway morphometry (ADAM), which assesses the diameters of airways and acini. This method is discussed in terms of its validity, ability to detect known interventions and diseases, and reproducibility (administering and performing this procedure were already discussed(1). With ADAM, airway and acinar diameters are expressed in terms of the effective airway diameter (EAD), which can be measured as a function of volumetric depth in the lungs. Evidence that ADAM is valid is provided by studies showing EAD agrees well with morphometric indices of airway and acinar size, especially once the distribution of aerosol is accounted for, and changes appropriately in response to known interventions and several diseases. Of particular note is the ...