Preoperative diagnosis by electron beam computed tomography and perioperative management of primary tracheal anomalies in tetralogy of Fallot.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the usefulness of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in the preoperative detection and perioperative management of insidious concomitant primary tracheobronchial anomalies in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TF).


METHODS
From July 1995 to October 1999, 88 children (38 girls, 50 boys) with TF were enrolled in this study. EBCT examinations provided information needed to plan management. The final diagnoses of airway abnormalities were correlated with the findings of bronchoscopy in five patients and confirmed during surgery.


RESULTS
Fourteen (16%) of the 88 patients had associated primary tracheobronchial anomalies. Nine patients had tracheal bronchi, which were combined with tracheobronchial stenosis in two patients and with tracheal stenosis in one patient. Two patients had tracheal diverticulum, which was combined with lower tracheal stenosis in one patient. Two patients had congenital tracheal stenosis. Tracheomalasia was found in one patient. Three patients with ventilation difficulties died postoperatively. Special attention was given to the care of the diseased airways perioperatively, and the remaining 11 patients had a smooth course of hospitalization and discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that EBCT provides good delineation of both cardiac and tracheobronchial anomalies and suggest that it should be used perioperatively to detect associated airway anomalies in TF, to facilitate the design of an appropriate ventilation care strategy.
Chen
S J
SJ
Department of Medical Imaging, Medical College and Hospital, National Taiwan University, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang
C I
CI
Chiu
I S
IS
Wang
J K
JK
Lin
C D
CD
Chen
H Y
HY
Lue
H C
HC
Li
Y W
YW
D000293:Adolescent; D001980:Bronchi / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging