The use of CT virtual bronchoscopy to predict bronchial involvement from central lung cancer

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of CT virtual bronchoscopy （CTVB） in predicting bronchial involvement from central lung cancer. Methods: Multislice spiral CT was done in 32 patients with central lung cancer. CTVB Images of bronchi that might affect lobectomy or pneumonectomy were reconstructed by means of imaging processing techniques. Then the related bronchi were assessed in comparison with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and pathologic findings. Results: CTVB could reveal 100% segmental bronchus, and 80% subsegmental bronchus. Narrowing or occluding of the lumen appeared as the view of fiberoptic bronchoscopy. But it could not observe mucosal abnormalities and perform biopsy. Conclusions: CTVB is a noninvasive method of observing airway with unique advantages. Combining with other image reconstruction methods of multislice spiral CT, it can be used to predict bronchial involvement from central lung cancer and to plan surgery.