Nonneoplastic tracheal and bronchial stenoses

MDCT using thin collimation and postprocessing techniques, such as multiplanar reformations along and perpendicular to the central axes of the central airways, and volume rendering techniques, such as virtual bronchoscopy and virtual bronchography, has become the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of nonneoplastic tracheal and bronchial stenoses. It may ensure accurate assessment of the location and extent of the stenosis and good characterization of the presence, distribution, type, and calcification of airway wall thickening. The consideration of these abnormalities in combination with associated CT findings observed in the mediastinum, hilum, or lung parenchyma and available clinical and laboratory data help the radiologist to shorten the list of different diagnoses. The role of MDCT is also to guide surgical and interventional endoscopic procedures and assess response to treatment.