The sophistication of three-dimensional (3-D) radiographic imaging from CT
data has accelerated with the development and ongoing advances of helical C
T. Virtual bronchoscopy (VB), the ability to create 3-D models of the airwa
ys and navigate through the tracheobronchial tree lumen in realtime simulat
ed bronchoscopy, has gained popularity over the Fast 3 years. The ability o
f VB to image the airway and mediastinal structures simultaneously and in a
3-D format has helped revolutionize CT imaging. Unlike conventional bronch
oscopy, VB can display the extent of narrowing caused by an airway lesion,
the presence of patentcy beyond a stenosis, and the relationship between an
airway lesion and the adjacent mediastinal structures.