Value of virtual tracheobronchoscopy and bronchography from 16-slice multidetector-row spiral computed tomography for assessment of suspected tracheobronchial stenosis in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of dose-reduced 16-slice multidetector-row spiral computed tomography (16-MDCT) using virtual tracheobronchoscopy (VTB) and virtual bronchography (VBG) in children with suspected tracheobronchial stenosis.


METHODS
12 children (4 d to 3 years, body weight 1.2 kg to 13.5 kg) with stridor and suspected tracheobronchial stenosis were examined by contrast-enhanced low-dose 16-MDCT. Conventional axial slices, MPRs, VTB, and VBG were calculated. Image findings were correlated with the results of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (12 out of 12) as a gold standard and subsequent surgery (8 out of 12).


RESULTS
VTB and VBG demonstrated the fiberoptic bronchoscopically suspected tracheal stenosis in 11 of 12 children due to vascular compression because of the brachiocephalic trunk (6), a double aortic arch (2), a vascular compression of the left main bronchus (2), and a right aberrant subclavian artery (1). Eleven out of 12 stenoses were correctly depicted by conventional axial slices, MPRs, VTB, and VBG. Dose reduction was 79 to 85.8% compared to a standard adult chest CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Dose-reduced 16-MDCT with the use of VTB and VBG is effective for the evaluation of tracheobronchial stenosis in children and correlates well with fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
Honnef
Dagmar
D
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany. honnef@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Wildberger
Joachim E
JE
Das
Marco
M
Hohl
Christian
C
Mahnken
Andreas H
AH
Barker
Michael
M
Günther
Rolf W
RW
Staatz
Gundula
G
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016477:Artifacts; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001995:Bronchography / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014584:User-Computer Interface