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Multidetector CT-generated virtual bronchoscopy: an illustrated review of the potential clinical indications

2004; European Respiratory Society; Volume: 23; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1183/09031936.04.00099804

1399-3003

Walter De Wever, Vincent Vandecaveye, Silvia Lanciotti, Johny Verschakelen,

Medical Imaging and Pathology Studies

Multidetector computed tomography-generated virtual bronchoscopy (VB) is a recent technical development that allows visualisation of the lumen and wall of the trachea and proximal part of the bronchial tree. A dynamic image is produced that resembles what is seen with fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FB). Although the technique has not yet reached daily clinical practice and it can never replace FB, performing VB can be useful in well-defined clinical situations. In this paper, the value and limitations of virtual bronchoscopy will be reviewed, to illustrate the potential role of virtual bronchoscopy in the evaluation of trachea and bronchial tree pathology.