CT virtual bronchoscopy in children: clinical application

Objective To discuss the technique′s characteristics, manifestation, clinical application, and limit in normal and abnormal pediatric airway by using CTVB (CT virtual bronchoscopy) in comparison with FOB (fiberoptic bronchoscopy). Methods Spiral scans were performed by a GE Hispeed spiral scanner in 113 pediatric chests The reformed images of 45 patients were transported to a workstation by which 3 D reconstructions were performed with a software named Navigator and CTVB was generated Results Bronchi were manifested 100% in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ, 46 7% and 13 3% were revealed in grade Ⅳ and V with CTVB, respectively FOB can only enter grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ bronchi, only 62 2% of the lobar bronchi can be manifested by FOB The findings of CTVB were stenosis ( n =34), occlusion ( n =11), and mass ( n =16) Only 3 radiotransparent foreign bodies and 2 inflammatory emboli were misdiagnosed as tumors, the rest was consistent with FOB Conclusion CTVB is an important supplement to conventional CT, CTVB can detect intraluminal space occupying lesions and occlusions or stenosises caused by all kinds of causes,but lack specificity CTVB can fly through the occlusions or stenosises of the lumen and enter the distal bronchi, thus can make up for the disadvantages of FOB It can′t make the diagnosis independently and must join together the CT primitive the diagram resemble or rebuild the diagram resemble proceeds to synthesize the analysis