Abstract
Utility of virtual bronchoscopy for diagnosis of tracheal lesions in children was evaluated by comparing the images from a case of congenital tracheal stenosis due to complete cartilaginous ring with those by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Results suggested that virtual bronchoscopy has diagnostic values comparable to those of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and is potentially useful at facilities that are not equipped with fiberoptic bronchoscopy.However, further studies are needed to fully establish its utility for diagnosing tracheal lesions with respiration-associated changes, such as tracheomalasia. We recommend that the institutions, where fiberoptic bronchoscopy is available, should perform virtual bronchoscopy in parallel to investigate its utility.
