title: Three-dimensional direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy: enhanced visualization of the airway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This is the first description of 3-dimensional (3D) pediatric airway endoscopy in the otolaryngology literature detailing the superior visualization with this technology. Ultimately, enhanced optics may further improve the treatment of airway pathology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the first case series examining the use of 3D direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (DLB) in the diagnosis and management of laryngotracheal pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care pediatric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients underwent both telescopic 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D DLB for comparison purposes: a 12-year-old boy for visualization of complete tracheal rings, a 23-year-old man for dilation of tracheal stenosis, and a 4-month-old boy for resection of subglottic cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enhanced visualization of laryngotracheal pathology and facilitated endoscopic surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To our knowledge, this is the first case series in the otolaryngology literature examining the use of 3D DLB for the resection of subglottic cysts, dilation of tracheal stenosis, and visualization of complete tracheal rings. We believe that the 3D view offers qualitatively improved depth perception, accuracy of balloon placement, and appraisal of subglottic cyst resection margins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This emerging technology has vast potential for improving endoscopy, surgical precision in airway interventions, tissue preservation, and methods of teaching. More research is needed in this area regarding the benefits and advantages of 3D compared with 2D endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA. breilly@cnmc.org
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.forename: Alex N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shekhar
authors.forename: Diego A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Preciado
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult