State-of-the-art imaging of the central airways.
Recent technological advances in CT imaging have revolutionized non-invasive imaging of the central airways. It is now possible to image the entire central airways in a few seconds and to create elegant three-dimensional reconstructions of the airways in a few minutes. The fast speed of CT scanning now allows for a dynamic assessment of the central airways, expanding the ability to non-invasively detect functional abnormalities such as tracheobronchomalacia. The purpose of this article is to familiarize clinicians with recent advances in airway imaging. A special emphasis is placed upon advanced CT reconstruction methods and their potential contributions to the evaluation of a variety of airway disorders.
D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface