Virtual CT endoscopy in a case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

Remarkable advances in computer-generated graphics have enabled us to observe body structure on the images generated from helical CT data sets. Virtual CT endoscopy is one of these virtual reality methods. Here we report the usefulness of virtual endoscopy in a case of tracheo-bronchopathia osteochondroplastica accidentally round during endotracheal intubation. The patient was a 68-year-old female for whom a laparotomy, under general anesthesia, was scheduled for cecal cancer. Endotracheal intubation was interrupted due to an osseous protrusion located in the subglottic space. Multiple small nodules were also Found on the distal wall of the trachea. Based on three-dimensional CT data, virtual CT endoscopy was performed to demonstrate multiple small nodules on the tracheal wall. Compared with conventional bronchoscopy, virtual CT endoscopy provided more precise images of peripheral bronchi, which could not be produced by real endoscopy, without any burden to the patient.