title: Multidimensional evaluation of tracheobronchial disease in adults.
abstract: The large airways can be affected by a wide spectrum of acquired benign and malignant diseases. These lesions may present as focal or diffuse processes and with narrowing or widening of the airway. Some of these may be asymptomatic for quite some time and may be incidentally detected on imaging, while others may be symptomatic, causing airway compromise. There may be a characteristic radiograph and computed tomography (CT) appearance, suggesting a narrow differential. When the imaging findings are not definitive, tissue may be obtained for pathological analysis. It behooves the radiologist to be familiar with the pathologic findings that correlate with the radiographic or CT appearance of the most frequently seen large airway lesions. In this way, we may improve our diagnostic accuracy. This paper will present the imaging findings of the most prevalent tracheobronchial lesions along with any associated pathology. Teaching Points • The large airways can be affected by many acquired benign and malignant diseases.• Large airway lesions may present as focal or diffuse processes, with narrowing or widening.• There may or may not be characteristic imaging appearance of large airway disease.• If imaging findings are not definitive, tissue may be obtained for pathological analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA. susan_sims@urmc.rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Susan E G
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, MMC 76, C420 Mayor Building, 420 Delaware Street, NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Faqian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lostracco
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Einstein Healthcare Network, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19141, USA.
authors.forename: Hongju
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wandtke
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hobbs
keywords: Adult; Bronchi; Computed tomography; Pathology; Trachea