Computed-tomographic and conventional linear-tomographic evaluation of tracheobronchial lesions for laser photoresection.

Abstract

Laser therapy is a new modality for treatment of airway lesions. Prior to laser photoresection of tracheobronchial lesions 18 patients were examined. Thirteen had cancers involving the distal trachea, carina, and/or proximal bronchi; 5 had benign lesions of the middle or proximal trachea. Each patient was examined by conventional linear tomography (CLT) and computed tomography (CT). CT was valuable in patients who had lesions of the distal trachea, carina and/or proximal bronchi. Its particular usefulness, and its advantage relative to CLT, consisted in its ability to delineate vascular structures adjacent to the planned area of photoresection. Neither CLT nor CT was helpful in evaluation of benign lesions of the proximal trachea.