The Application And Evaluation Of CT Virual Bronchoscopy In Lung Cancer Of Central Type

Objective: To evaluate display ability of CT virual bronchoscopy and its clinical application in comparison with electronic bronchoscopy, and to study relevant image-forming techniques. Methods: 37 patients with lung cancer of central type were performed by using spiral CT. the data were transferred to computer workstation (Advanced windows 4.0). the CTVB images were generated from using Navigator Smooth software. All cases were confirmed by electronic bronchoscopy ,needle biopsy or operation. 23 imaging findings were compared with the results obtained with electronic bronchoscopy. Results: CTVB could reveal 100% segmental bronchi and 81.1% subsegmental bronchi. Among the 37 patients, CTVB could show bronchial stenosis(n=63),occlusions(n=20)and masses in bronchial cavities (n=12). Its display ability is comparable with electronic bronchoscopy in demonstrating anatomical structure, bronchial stenosis, occlusions and masses in bronchial cavities(P>0.05), but it can not demonstrate mucosal metastasis or infiltrations, hyperemia and edema(P<0.01). Conclusion: CTVB is a noninvasive technique and can partly replace electronic bronchoscopy. Combined with axial and MPR imaging. CTVB can demonstrate the extraluminal extension of tumors . However, it can neither detect mucosal abnormalities nor get histologic samples.