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Diagnostic potential of virtual bronchoscopy: advantages in comparison with axial CT slices, MPR and mIP?

  • Original Article
  • Chest Radiology
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of virtual endoscopy (VE) and to compare it with axial CT slices, multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), minimal intensity projections (mIP), and bronchoscopy in patients diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma. Thirty patients underwent a spiral CT. Axial CT images were transferred to an Onyx workstation (Silicon Graphics, Sun Microsystems, Mountain View, Calif.) for performing virtual endoscopy. Accuracy for this procedure was tested by three radiologists on a monitor in comparison with axial CT slices, MPR, mIP, and bronchoscopy concerning the localization and degree of stenoses. Endoluminal tumors were identified by virtual bronchoscopy with no statistically significant difference of localization or grading of stenosis in comparison with bronchoscopy, axial CT slices, MPR and mlP. Axial CT slices, MPR, and mlP showed poorer results with over- or underestimation of stenoses compared with VE and bronchoscopy. Passing of stenoses was only possible with VE in 5 patients. Virtual endoscopy is a non-invasive method for identification of endoluminal tumors and is comparable to real bronchoscopy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Otto-von-Guericke University, University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany

    U. Rapp-Bernhardt, W. Doehring & T. M. Bernhardt

  2. Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumology, Otto-von-Guericke University, University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany

    T. Weite

  3. Department of Biometrics and Medical Informatics, Otto-von-Guericke University, University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany

    S. Kropf

Authors
  1. U. Rapp-Bernhardt
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  2. T. Weite
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  3. W. Doehring
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  4. S. Kropf
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  5. T. M. Bernhardt
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Rapp-Bernhardt, U., Weite, T., Doehring, W. et al. Diagnostic potential of virtual bronchoscopy: advantages in comparison with axial CT slices, MPR and mIP?. Eur. Radiol. 10, 981–988 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300051049

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300051049

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