[Non-neoplastic tracheal lesions: comparison between virtual CT endoscopy and fiberoptic bronchoscopy].
OBJECTIVE
To compare virtual endoscopy of the upper airways with fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination in patients affected by non-neoplastic inflammatory disease of the trachea.


METHODS
Twelve patients with non-neoplastic tracheal stenosis or with tracheo-oesophageal fistula underwent a fiberoptic endoscopy and a spiral CT examination with the following protocol: collimation/table feed/reconstruction increment 3 mm/6 mm/1 mm from the larynx to the carenabronchial septum. Images were sent to a dedicated workstation equipped with a software allowing generation of 3D reconstructions and virtual endoscopic images. Lesion features were compared in the two examinations.


RESULTS
In all cases the lesions features visualized with virtual display modality were confirmed by conventional endoscopy. Measurements were easily made on the 3D MPR images while conventional endoscopy allowed only a qualitative assessment of the lesion. In no cases did virtual endoscopy provide information on the mucosa appearance. Swallowing and breathing never caused significant artifacts during the 3D post processing.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtual bronchoscopy is a useful technique for preoperative evaluation and for the follow-up of patients with non-neoplastic inflammatory disease of the upper airways.
Luccichenti
Giacomo
G
Istituto di Radiologia, Università di Parma. g.luccichenti@libero.it
Cademartiri
Filippo
F
Fecci
Luigi
L
Carbognani
Paolo
P
Rusca
Michele
M
Pavone
Paolo
P
D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014584:User-Computer Interface