Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Diseases: Comparison of Different Imaging Techniques

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.