Varying tracheal cross-sectional area during respiration in infants and children with suspected upper airway obstruction by computed cinetomography scanning.

摘要: An ultrafast cinetomography computed tomographic scanner (cine-CT) was used to evaluate infants and children (n = 15) with suspected obstruction of the larynx or trachea. One scan sequence provided a single image at each eight cross-sectional levels (volume-mode study). Each study, lasting 224 ms, covered distance between supraglottic area carina. patient also underwent “dynamic” study specific level interest determined from volume-mode study. Forty images within 2.3 s least one respiratory cycle. The were displayed as closed-loop movie dynamic changes in laryngeal tracheal caliber respiration monitored quantitated. Tracheal boundaries outlined either by trackball-guided cursor (freehand) semi-automated computer edge detection, areas diameters determined. Reproducibility tested among three investigators' freehand drawings two automated drawings, same varying intensities. coefficient variation for computer-assisted records (0.2%) smaller than best drawing (1.5%). reproducible, but greater intra-individual investigator variability. Four normal tracheas had close published measurements conventional CT scanners. Cine-CT gives objective dimensions their during respiration; it provides good anatomical detail above carina, extra- intra-thoracic vessels if injected contrast medium. Pediatr Pulmonal 1990; 9:224–232.