Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of transverse CT scans as well as multiplanar (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions in the evaluation of obstructive lesions of the central airways. A total of 64 patients were evaluated for the presence of obstructive lesions of the central tracheobronchial tree with transverse spiral CT scans, multiplanar reformations (MPRs), 3D shaded surface displays (3D SSDs) and minimum intensity projections (MIPs). The findings of these modalities were then compared with those obtained at bronchoscopy. The severity, length, and shape of airway narrowing were analyzed comparatively on the four sets of images. Transverse CT scans and MPRs had a similar accuracy (99%) in detecting obstructive airway lesions. The accuracy of both was significantly higher than that of 3DSSDs (90%, p <0.05) and MIPs (81%; p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the four imaging modalities in the analysis of the morphology of airway stenoses. Symmetric stenoses were similarly analyzed on the four sets of images, whereas MPRs and MIPs failed to depict accurately simple and complex asymmetric stenoses. Transverse CT scans are accurate in the depiction of obstructive lesions of the central airways and may be complemented by MPRs and/or 3DSSDs in their morphologic evaluation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fram EK, Godwin JD, Putman CE (1982) Three-dimensional display of the heart, aorta, lungs, and airway using CT. AJR 139: 1171–1176.
Stern RL, Cline HE, Johnson GA, Ravin CE (1989) Three-dimensional imaging of the thoracic cavity. Invest Radiol 24: 282–288.
Ney DR, Kulhman JE, Hruban RH, Ren H, Hutchins GM, Fishman EK (1990) Three-dimensional CT-volumetric reconstruction and display of the bronchial tree. Invest Radiol 25: 736–742.
Quint LE, Whyte RI, Kazerooni EA, Martinez FJ, Cascade PN et al. (1995) Stenosis of the central airways: evaluation by using helical CT with multiplanar reconstructions. Radiology 194: 871–877.
Napel S, Marks MP, Rubin GD, Dake MD, McDonnel CH, Song SM, Enzmann DR, Jeffrey RB (1992) CT angiography with spiral CT and maximum intensity projection. Radiology 185: 607–610.
Rubin GD, Dake MD, Napel S, Jeffrey RB, McDonnel CH, Sommer FG, Wexler L, Williams D (1994) Spiral CT of renal artery stenosis: comparison of three-dimensional rendering techniques. Radiology 190: 181–189.
Fishman EK, Magid D, Ney DR, Chaney EL, Pizer SM, Rosenman JG et al. (1991) Three-dimensional imaging. Radiology 181: 321–337.
Kitakoa H, Yumoto T (1990) Three-dimensional CT of the bronchial tree. A trial using an inflated fixed lung specimen. Invest Radiol 25: 813–817.
LaCrosse M, Trigaux JP, Van Beers BE, Weymans P (1995) 3D spiral CT of the tracheobronchial tree. J Comput Assist Tomogr 19: 341–347.
Tanoue LT (1992) Pulmonary involvement in collagen vascular disease: a review of the pulmonary manifestations of the Mar-fan syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren's syndrome, and relapsing polychondritis. J Thorac Imaging 7: 62–77.
Im JG, Chung JW, Han SK, Han MC, Kim CW (1988) CT manifestations of tracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12: 792–793.
Shennib H, Massard G (1994) Airway complications in lung transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg 57: 506–511.
Kawahara K, Akamine S, Takahashi T, Nakamura A e tal. (1994) Management of anastomotic complications after sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surg 57: 1529–1533.
Schafers HJ, Schafer CM, Zink C, Haverich A, Borst HG (1994) Surgical treatment of airway complications after lung transplantation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 107: 1476–1480.
Ross GS, O'Donovan WB, Paushter DM (1986) Tracheobronchial tree and pulmonary arteries: MR imaging using electronic axial rotation. Radiology 160: 839–841.
Newmark GM, Conces D, Kopecky KK (1994) Spiral CT evaluation of the trachea and bronchi. J Comput Assist Tomogr 18: 552–554.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: M. Remy-Jardin
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Remy-Jardin, M., Remy, J., Deschildre, F. et al. Obstructive lesions of the central airways: evaluation by using spiral CT with multiplanar and three-dimensional reformations. Eur. Radiol. 6, 807–816 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240676
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240676