Value of virtual tracheobronchoscopy and bronchography from 16-slice multidetector-row spiral computed tomography for assessment of suspected tracheobronchial stenosis in children

Eur Radiol. 2006 Aug;16(8):1684-91. doi: 10.1007/s00330-006-0230-5. Epub 2006 Apr 19.

Abstract

Purpose: 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.

Materials and 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.

Conclusion: 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.

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Artifacts
  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bronchography / methods*
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Radiometry / methods
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed*
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • User-Computer Interface*