Virtual bronchoscopy - relationships of virtual reality endobronchial simulations to actual bronchoscopic findings

Advances in computer technology have permitted development of reality images of the tracheobronchial tree using data sets derived from helical CT of the chest. To determine the relevance of these images to actual bronchoscopic findings, we compared virtual images with videotaped bronchoscopy results in 20 patients who had undergone both helical chest CT and fiberoptic bronchoscopy during clinical evaluation of their thoracic problems. Suboptimal endobronchial simulations in ten patients identified important, readily-addressed technical requirements for this imaging procedure. In the ten patients with technically suitable renderings of the airway, bronchoscopy simulations accurately demonstrated endobronchial obstructions by tumor in five, airway distortion and/or ectasia in four, and accessory bronchi in another. These preliminary observations suggest that bronchoscopy simulations accurately represent major endobronchial anatomic findings. This technique may have a role in prebronchoscopy planning, endoscopy training, and/or endobronchial therapy, and merits further study.