Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Diseases: Comparison of Different Imaging Techniques

  • Qihang Chen (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, SNUMRC) ;
  • Jin Mo Goo (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, SNUMRC) ;
  • Joon Beom Seo (Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical School) ;
  • Myung Jin Chung (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, SNUMRC) ;
  • Yu-Jin Lee (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, SNUMRC) ;
  • Jung-Gi Im (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, SNUMRC)
  • Received : 2000.07.07
  • Accepted : 2000.08.25
  • Published : 2000.09.30

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical utility of the different imaging techniques used for the evaluation of tracheobronchial diseases. Materials and Methods: Forty-one patients with tracheobronchial diseases [tuberculosis (n = 18), bronchogenic carcinoma (n = 10), congenital abnormality (n = 3), post-operative stenosis (n = 2), and others (n = 8)] underwent chest radiography and spiral CT. Two sets of scan data were obtained: one from routine thick-section axial images and the other from thin-section axial images. Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and shaded surface display (SSD) images were obtained from thin-section data. Applying a 5-point scale, two observers compared chest radiography, routine CT, thin-section spiral CT, MPR and SSD imaging with regard to the detection, localization, extent, and characterization of a lesion, information on its relationship with adjacent structures, and overall information. Results: SSD images were the most informative with regard to the detection (3.95±0.31), localization (3.95±0.22) and extent of a lesion (3.85±0.42), and overall information (3.83±0.44), while thin-section spiral CT scans provided most information regarding its relationship with adjacent structures (3.56±0.50) and characterization of the lesion (3.51±0.61). Conclusion: SSD images and thin-section spiral CT scans can provide valuable information for the evaluation of tracheobronchial disease.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported in part by a research grant from BK21

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