Airway measurement using morphometric analysis.
Measurement of airway size using endoscopic morphometry was investigated. Endoscopic images of the porcine tracheobronchial tree were obtained via a Storz system at a known distance from the telescope. The bronchi were marked with transluminal wires, transected, and imaged. All images were analyzed morphometrically with a computer image at multiple sites (N = 20). The endoscopic measurements were plotted against the macro lens images so that a straight line with a slope of 1 would indicate a consistent correlation. Area measurements for all images had a slope of 0.67 (r = .885); however, for images with area < 80 mm2 the slope was 1 (r = .879), for images with area < 80 mm2 of 0.93 (r = .875), and for images with area > 80 mm2 of -0.34 (r = .482), and major axis had a slope for all images of 0.73 (r = .904), for images with area < 80 mm2 of 0.88 (r = .923), and for images with area > 80 mm2 of -0.59 (r = .771). Accurate area measurements as well as major and minor axis measurements can be obtained for airways with area < 80 mm2 by means of this system. Each bronchoscope-telescope unit has an optimal target size for which measurements are accurate.
Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden 08103, USA.
M C
MC
Santos
L
L
Strande
E J
EJ
Doolin
D001980:Bronchi / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*