Wartość bronchoskopii wirtualnej (BW) w diagnostyce tchawicy i drzewa oskrzelowego u 5 letniego chłopca : opis przypadku

Background: Progress in multislice computer tomography and computer software is making is possible to achieve high quality images of the trachea and bronchial tree. This new technique, called virtual bronchoscopy (VB), enables non-invasive, painless evaluation of the bronchial tree and trachea in a 3D presentation, which can be applied especially in pediatric diagnostics. Case report: This paper presents the value of VB in trachea and bronchial tree diagnostics in a five-year-old boy admitted to surgery for an operation on the humeral bone. The presence of a tracheal and bronchial tree defect was determined on the basis of the interview and previous examinations. Diagnosis of the upper airways was necessary due to the anesthetic planned for surgery. Virtual bronchoscopy was chosen as a safer, less risky method without general anesthesia. Results: Bronchofiberoscopy and virtual bronchoscopy are valuable and complementary methods for the imaging diagnostics of the trachea and bronchial tree. Virtual bronchoscopy can be a reference examination in many cases, especially in children.