3D spiral CT of the tracheobronchial tree.
OBJECTIVE
Because of intrinsic limitations of transverse cross-sectional imaging methods, CT sometimes is insufficient for adequate evaluation of complex tracheobronchial anomalies. This article describes a complementary 3D procedure specifically dedicated to the study of the tracheobronchial tree.


METHODS
The procedure combines a specific spiral CT acquisition with 2 or 4 mm collimation, 3D surface rendering of the tracheobronchial aerial content, and double obliquity multiplanar reformats directly planned on the 3D virtual object. It was performed in 11 complex cases including 3 stented benign or malignant stenoses and 2 single lung transplantations.


RESULTS
Easier understanding of the tracheobronchial status was achieved in all cases. In three cases, the procedure yielded relevant diagnostic information that neither fiberoptic endoscopy nor transverse CT had provided, leading to significant modification of patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional spiral CT of the bronchial tree with secondary reformation seems suitable in clinical practice for selected cases.
Lacrosse
M
M
Department of Radiology, Cliniques universitaires UCL de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.
Trigaux
J P
JP
Van Beers
B E
BE
Weynants
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001995:Bronchography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*