title: [Virtual bronchoscopy].
abstract: Flexible bronchoscopy represents a clinically well-established invasive diagnostic tool. Virtual bronchoscopies, calculated from thin-slice CT sections, allow astonishing immitations of reality although principal differences exist between both technologies: the fact that colour representation is artificial and concommitant interventions are impossible limits the clinical use of virtual bronchoscopy. However, its value increases when calculations can be attained within minutes due to technological advancements, and when virtually any chest CT is suitable for further postprocessing. Indications, findings and the clinical role of virtual bronchoscopy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Radiologie, Charité Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10098 Berlin.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rogalla
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rückert
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meiri
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamm
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014584:User-Computer Interface