Images in anesthesiology: Endoluminal computed tomography: A novel technology for assessment of large airway pathologies

摘要

AIRWAY management of patients with laryngeal and tracheal pathologies remains a challenge for the anesthesiologist. These may not be obvious during a routine physical examination and almost always warrant a formal radiological assessment. Multidetector computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice for large airways. Image acquisition allows for advanced reconstruction including surface and three-dimensional volume-rendered endoluminal viewing, aptly called "virtual laryngeo-tracheo-bronchoscopy" which provides an anatomical perspective to the structures for the observer.