Spiral C.T, Virtual bronchoscopy with multiplanar reformatting in evaluation of post-intubation laryngotracheal stenosis

Abstract EN

Objective : To evaluate the usefulness of spiral CT in detection and assessment of post intubation laryngotracheal stenosis.

Patients and Methods : Fourteen post tracheostomy patients who were scheduled for surgical treatment of post intubation stenosis of the air way were subjected to spiral CT scan with multiplanar reformatting (MPR) and virtual endoscopy(VE) followed by conventional rigid bronchoscopy(RB).

The following parameters were assessed : involvement of the subglottic larynx, site, number and length of the stenosis.

The results were compared with the intra-operative findings.

Results : The detection rate of steno tic lesions was 94% by CT and 88% by rigid bronchoscopy.

The sensitivity and specificity of CT scan and bronchoscopy in detection of the subglottic larynx was 100% and 100% for each.

A significant correlation was found between the length of the stenosis measured intra-operatively and preoperatively with CT scan (r=0.98, p<0.001) and bronchoscopy )r=0.94, p<0.001).

Laryngeal function was assessed only using rigid bronchoscopy.

Conclusion : Spiral CT scan with MPR and VE is an accurate and excellent technique for the measurement and definition of post-intubation laryngotracheal stenosis.

Yet, it has no role in assessing laryngeal function.