3-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING OF TRACHEOBRONCHIAL SYSTEM USING SPIRAL CT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 3D reconstruction of the tracheobronchial system using spiral CT. A total of 25 patients with tracheobronchial abnormalities, stenosis (n = 21) and fistula with esophagus (n = 4), underwent a single breathhold spi ral CT (5 mm collision, 5 mm)/s increment), With respect to localizati on, extent and degree of stenosis and size of fistula were compared wi th findings at bronchoscopy. The CT location and extent of stenoses we re consistent with bronchoscopic findings in all 21 patients. The diam eter and shape of the lesions were not evaluated in five patients with severe stenoses. In patients with fistula, 3D CT image demonstrates t he location and size of fistula in all four patients. Spiral CT serves to demonstrate accurate and useful 3D reconstruction images for plann ing and monitoring therapy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.