Clinical application of helical CT Virtual bronchoscopy in lung cancer(Report of 21 cases)

Aim:To introduce CT virtual bronchoscopy (CTVB) as a new method in diagonsing lung cancer and to evaluate its clinical applications.Clinical material and methods:21 patients suspected of lung cancer were examined with CT thin scan (3mm-5mm).After transmitting the pictures and data to the work station,the real time virtual bronchoscopic pictures were obtained by the reconstruction (CTVB).Results of CTVB were compared with the findings in operation,fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and the pathologic results.59 tracheobronchia images from 21 patients were studied.Results:The findings of tracheal wall,lesion in lumen and tracheal lumen which derived from CT virtual bronchoscopy were similar to the results of FOB.Furthermore CTVB was better in revealing the distant broncheal obstruction.The specific rete of CTVB was not high.Combining CTVB with axial CT scans,the location,extension of the broncheal lesions and the relationship with the surrounding tissues are shown better.Conclusion:CTVB provides important data for guiding biopsy under the bronchoscopy,judging the stage of lung cancer before operation and determining the operation pattern.CTVB is complementary in examing lung cancer.