SPIRAL CT EVALUATION OF THE TRACHEA AND BRONCHI

Objective: We report two cases in which spiral CT with three-dimension al (3D) reconstruction was used to evaluate abnormalities of the trach ea and bronchi. Materials and Methods: Two patients with known airway abnormalities, one with a carinal tumor and the other with a postopera tive bronchial stenosis, had spiral CT of the chest performed. Images were reconstructed in the coronal plane as well as using a curved plan ar reformat and shaded surface display. Results: Spiral CT with 3D rec onstruction provided excellent anatomic definition of the central airw ay abnormalities. In our two cases the information provided was used i n both the clinical assessment and treatment planning of the patients. Conclusion: Spiral CT was useful in the evaluation of two patients wi th central airway abnormalities. Further investigation into applicatio ns of spiral CT for the evaluation of the central airways appears warr anted.