PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - W. De Wever
AU  - V. Vandecaveye
AU  - S. Lanciotti
AU  - J.A. Verschakelen
TI  - Multidetector CT-generated virtual bronchoscopy: an illustrated review of the potential clinical indications
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.04.00099804
DP  - 2004 May 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 776--782
VI  - 23
IP  - 5
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/5/776.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/5/776.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2004 May 01; 23
AB  - Multidetector computed tomography-generated virtual bronchoscopy (VB) is a recent technical development that allows visualisation of the lumen and wall of the trachea and proximal part of the bronchial tree. A dynamic image is produced that resembles what is seen with fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FB). Although the technique has not yet reached daily clinical practice and it can never replace FB, performing VB can be useful in well-defined clinical situations. In this paper, the value and limitations of virtual bronchoscopy will be reviewed, to illustrate the potential role of virtual bronchoscopy in the evaluation of trachea and bronchial tree pathology.