Laroia AT, Thompson BH, Laroia ST, Beek EJV. Modern imaging of the tracheo-bronchial tree. World J Radiol 2010; 2(7): 237-248 [PMID: 21160663 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i7.237]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Edwin JR van Beek, MD, PhD, MEd, FRCR, SINAPSE Chair of Clinical Radiology, CO.19, Clinical Research Imaging Centre, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. edwin-vanbeek@ed.ac.uk
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Editorial
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World J Radiol. Jul 28, 2010; 2(7): 237-248 Published online Jul 28, 2010. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i7.237
Modern imaging of the tracheo-bronchial tree
Archana T Laroia, Brad H Thompson, Sandeep T Laroia, Edwin JR van Beek
Archana T Laroia, Brad H Thompson, Sandeep T Laroia, Edwin JR van Beek, Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52241, United States
Edwin JR van Beek, Clinical Research Imaging Centre, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this manuscript, all supplying images and text.
Correspondence to: Edwin JR van Beek, MD, PhD, MEd, FRCR, SINAPSE Chair of Clinical Radiology, CO.19, Clinical Research Imaging Centre, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. edwin-vanbeek@ed.ac.uk
Telephone: +44-131-2427760 Fax: +44-131-2427773
Received: April 15, 2010 Revised: June 9, 2010 Accepted: June 16, 2010 Published online: July 28, 2010
Abstract
Recent state-of-the-art computed tomography and improved three-dimensional (3-D) postprocessing techniques have revolutionized the capability of visualizing airway pathology, offering physicians an advanced view of pathology and allowing for appropriate management planning. This article is a comprehensive review of trachea and main bronchi imaging, with emphasis on the dynamic airway anatomy, and a discussion of a wide variety of diseases including, but not limited to, congenital large airway abnormalities, tracheobronchial stenoses, benign and malignant neoplasms and tracheobronchomalacia. The importance of multiplanar reconstruction, 3-D reconstruction and incorporation of dynamic imaging for non-invasive evaluation of the large airways is stressed.
