Virtual bronchoscopy, importance of the method, application and prospects for tumors of the trachea and bronchi

Abstract

Virtual bronchoscopy (VB) is 3-dimensional computer-generated technology, creating endobronchial images from spiral CT data. The study aims to present summarized results from researches of different foreign authors about the advantages of VB, the possibilities for its application and the effectiveness of its use in routine practice in the diagnosis of tumors of the trachea and bronchi. The three-dimensional model of the tracheobronchial tree allows assessment of the airways from inside. The majority of the examined studies relate to the diagnosis of new formations of the respiratory tract, preparation for surgery, assessment of the results of surgery, etc. VB is a noninvasive method allowing to examine the smallest bronchi. Relatively few studies in Bulgaria as well as the ensured during recent years new modern equipment for VB and MDCT, provide great opportunities for making VB examinations to study the effectiveness and its wide application in daily X-ray practice.

Keywords

• advantages
• benign formations
• effectiveness
• tracheobronchial tree
• Virtual bronchoscopy