Abstract
Abnormal findings of tracheal wall were detected in our patients by conventional chest CT and bronchoscopic examination. Dynamic CT was then evaluated which showed the flexibility of the tracheal wall, and may provide other information as well.
The dynamic CT was performed at the location of the abnormalities in the trachea by a 5 mm-thick axial slice with a high-resolution filter for one second during inspiration and expiration at one-second intervals in succession. Sequential images were observed in the cine mode. Nine patients were examined between August 2000 and April 2002. Two patients had a flaccid tracheal wall due to a diverticulum or skin flap over a tracheal defect, and 7 patients had airway stenosis due to tumors or injuries. The age range was 28 to 86 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 5 to 4.
The tracheal wall motion was observed dynamically. In all cases of tracheal stenosis, the degree of the stenosis became prominent in the expiratory phase, and the transverse range of the fixed tracheal wall could be detected. The flaccid tracheal wall in two cases was overextended at the end-expiratory phase.
Dynamic CT can detect the abnormal motion of the tracheal wall, and it will be some help in making therapeutic plans.
