Multislice helical CT and chest radiographic findings in congenital bronchial atresia / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To present the multislice helical CT (MSCT) and chest radiographic findings of congenital bronchial atresia (CBA) in order to improve the diagnosis of CBA.Methods Eleven patients with CBA, who had histological results in 3 cases, bronchoscopy in 6 cases and more than 1 year follow-up in 2 cases, underwent MSCT with 10 mm slice thickness. 1.25 mm thickness images with 1 mm reconstruction interval were performed on 16-slice helical CT, and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP) and minimum intensity projection (MinIP) were made at a dedicated workstation. The involved segment of lung, shape of bronchocele and hyperinflation around bronchocele were recorded. Results On CT findings, all 11 patients demonstrated bronchocele and peripheral emphysematous changes which were shown in 8 cases on chest radiographs. An air-fluid level within the bronchocele was seen in 3 cases by MSCT and 2 by chest radiographs. The segmental bronchus was affected in 10 cases and the subsegmental in 1 case. 3 CBAs were in the left and 8 in the right. 6 patients with CBA presented a rounded, branching opacity emanating from the hilum and 5 were seen as a peripheral nodule. Conclusion The presence of a bronchocele and surrouding emphysematous change is the typical radiologic finding of CBA. MSCT can provide more information than X-ray chest radiograph for the diagnosis of CBA.