Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic value of multidetector CT (MDCT) and its multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and virtual bronchoscopy (VB) postprocessing techniques for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors.MethodsDetection results of 31 primary trachea and main bronchus tumors with MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB postprocessing techniques, were analyzed retrospectively with regard to tumor locations, tumor morphologies, extramural invasions of tumors, longitudinal involvements of tumors, morphologies and extents of luminal stenoses, distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae, and internal features of tumors. The detection results were compared with that of surgery and pathology.ResultsDetection results with MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB were consistent with that of surgery and pathology, included tumor locations (tracheae, n = 19; right main bronchi, n = 6; left main bronchi, n = 6), tumor morphologies (endoluminal nodes with narrow bases, n = 2; endoluminal nodes with wide bases, n = 13; both intraluminal and extraluminal masses, n = 16), extramural invasions of tumors (brokethrough only serous membrane, n = 1; 4.0 mm—56.0 mm, n = 14; no clear border with right atelectasis, n = 1), longitudinal involvements of tumors (3.0 mm, n = 1; 5.0 mm—68.0 mm, n = 29; whole right main bronchus wall and trachea carina, n = 1), morphologies of luminal stenoses (irregular, n = 26; circular, n = 3; eccentric, n = 1; conical, n = 1) and extents (mild, n = 5; moderate, n = 7; severe, n = 19), distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae (16.0 mm, n = 1; invaded trachea carina, n = 1; >20.0 mm, n = 10), and internal features of tumors (fairly homogeneous densities with rather obvious enhancements, n = 26; homogeneous density with obvious enhancement, n = 1; homogeneous density without obvious enhancement, n = 1; not enough homogeneous density with obvious enhancement, n = 1; punctate calcification with obvious enhancement, n = 1; low density without obvious enhancement, n = 1).ConclusionMDCT and its MPR, VR and VB images have respective advantages and disadvantages. Their combination could complement to each other to accurately detect locations, natures (benignancy, malignancy or low malignancy), and quantities (extramural invasions, longitudinal involvements, extents of luminal stenoses, distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae) of primary trachea and main bronchus tumors with crucial information for surgical treatment, are highly useful diagnostic methods for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors.
Highlights
CT is the best noninvasive method for evaluation of trachea and main bronchus lesions, but the overwhelming majority of studies on detection of trachea and main bronchus tumors were confined to ordinary CT or ordinary spiral CT[1,2,3]
Hoppe et al[12] found that Multidetector CT (MDCT) virtual bronchoscopy (VB) is a reliable noninvasive method to accurate grading of tracheobronchial stenosis, but it should be combined with the interpretation of axial CT images and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images for evaluation of surrounding structures and optimal spatial orientation
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the diagnostic value of MDCT and its MPR, volume rendering (VR) and VB postprocessing techniques for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors
Summary
CT is the best noninvasive method for evaluation of trachea and main bronchus lesions, but the overwhelming majority of studies on detection of trachea and main bronchus tumors were confined to ordinary CT or ordinary spiral CT[1,2,3]. Multidetector CT (MDCT) could contribute to a better revealing of trachea and main bronchus tumors because of improved image resolution and quality[4, 5]. Multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and virtual bronchoscopy (VB) postprocessing techniques of MDCT could break away from the confines of traditional axial imaging plane, and have the potential to facilitate assessment of trachea and main bronchus tumors, providing more anatomically and diagnostically meaningful information for detection of trachea and main bronchus tumors[4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the diagnostic value of MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB postprocessing techniques for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
