[Multidetector CT evaluation of airway metallic stents]

Stenting is accepted in managing patients with inoperable obstruction of the upper airways. The choice of the type as well as the dimensions of stents are crucial as it impacts on the success of the procedure and potential complications which must be diagnosed non-invasively.

The goal of this review is to present our multidisciplinary experience using multidetector CT as a minimally invasive technique for detecting airway obstructions, for evaluating preoperatively local anatomic conditions useful to determinate the type and size of metallic stents to be used, and following non-invasively the stent in order to detect various complications.

MDCT acquisition should use thin slices as multiplanar reformations and 3D reconstructions play an essential complementary role to axial images in pre- and post-stent placement settings.