Mediastinal Lymph Node Mapping Using Spiral CT and Three-Dimensional Reconstructions in Patients with Lung Cancer: Preliminary Observations

Abstract

Summary

Radiological imaging is an essential component of bronchoscopy planning. Recent progress in computer technology has produced virtual reality imaging that can assist in the identification of major endobronchial abnormalities. We describe our preliminary experience with an application of this technology that relates computer simulations of endobronchial anatomy to extrabronchial structures, and we present illustrative examples of mediastinal nodal sites commonly involved by bronchogenic carcinoma. The impact of this advanced imaging technique for bronchoscopists and other chest clinicians merits further investigation.