The relationship between tracheal width and left bronchial width: Implications for left-sided double-lumen tube selection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a relationship between tracheal width (TW) and left bronchial width (LBW).


METHODS
Three-dimensional chest computed tomography (CT) scans were used to reconstruct major airways for measurement of TW and LBW.


METHODS
Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.


METHODS
Thirty-one adult patients undergoing chest CT scans.


METHODS
Cursors were used to directly measure internal diameter from coronal images of the trachea at midclavicular level and the left main bronchus at a level 1 cm below the carina.


RESULTS
TW and LBW, but not the LBW-to-TW ratio, were significantly larger in men than in women. The LBW-to-TW ratio was consistent for men (0.75 +/- 0.09) and women (0.77 +/- 0.10).


CONCLUSIONS
LBW is proportional to TW. If LBW cannot be measured directly but TW can, the ratio of LBW to TW can be used to predict LBW. An appropriate-sized left double-lumen tube can then be selected for the patient.
Brodsky
J B
JB
Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Jbrodskyleland.stanford.edu
Malott
K
K
Angst
M
M
Fitzmaurice
B G
BG
Kee
S P
SP
Logan
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001980:Bronchi / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001995:Bronchography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging