Multislice CT in congenital bronchopulmonary malformations in children

Congenital bronchopulmonary malformations encompass a wide spectrum of pathologies involving the lungs, trachea and bronchi, pulmonary vessels, and oesophagus. These developmental lesions are often isolated, but the association of two or more anomalies is not infrequent. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), thanks to multiplanar and 3D reconstructions, allows for detailed studies of these malformations, achieving better accuracy compared with conventional techniques such as chest X-ray, fluoroscopy, ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy and ultrasonography. MDCT is characterised by fast data acquisition and does not require sedation in the majority of cases. The main drawbacks of MDCT are the use of ionising radiation and - in many cases -contrast media. Recently, improved CT scanners and optimised CT protocols have made available to children all the benefits of MDCT, thanks to a significant reduction in radiation dose and an improved risk-benefit ratio. The aim of our paper was to evaluate MDCT in children with bronchopulmonary malformations by reporting our experience (about 2,400 studies in 30 months with a 64-slice MDCT scanner) and comparing it with the available literature.