• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.17-21
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• 2004

Background Insertion of tracheal stent in the treatment of benign tracheal & bronchial disease has increased since the introduction of expandable metallic stent. Material & Methods : Between Jan, 1995 and Feb. 2004, eight patients who had benign tracheo-bronchial disease underwent insertion of expandable metallic tracheal stent. We retrospectively analyzed stent insertion indications, complications, and following the result. Results : Surgical indications were post-intubation tracheal stenosis (1 case), tracheal stenosis following tracheal surgery (2 cases), tracheo-esophageal fistula (2 cases), broncho-pleural fistula(1 case), left main bronchus stenosis following bronchoplasty (1 case), and left main bronchus stenosis due to mediastinal repositioning (1 case). Expandable metallic tracheal stent was inserted in five patients to resolve dyspnea caused by airway obstruction, and to prevent recurrent pneumonia in three patients. The complication developed in 6 patients $75\%$; 3 cases of distal stenosis due to growth of granulation tissue, and one case each of tearing of posterior membrane, aggravation of tracheo-esophageal fistula, and airway partial obstruction due to stent migration. The stent was removed in 5 patients and tracheal surgery (tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis with primary repair of esophagus, pericardial patch tracheo-bronchoplasty, tracheal repair and omental wrapping) was performed in 3 patients. Conclusion Insertion of self expandable metallic stent in benign tracheo-bronchial disease is an effective means of relieving dyspnea for only a short period, and it did not increase the long term survival. Better means of treatment of benign tracheo-bronchial stenosis in necessary.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.10B no.5
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• pp.509-514
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• 2003

The virtual bronchoscopy was implemented using chest CT images to visualize inside of tracheo-bronchial wall. The optical endoscopy procedures are invasive, uncomfortable for patients and sedation or anesthesia may be required. Also, they have serious side effects such as perforation, infection and hemorrhage. In order to determine the navigation path, we segmented the tracheo-bronchial wall from the chest CT image. We used the coordinates as a navigation path for virtual camera that were calculated from medial axis transformation. We used the perspective projection and marching cube algorithm to render the surface from volumetric CT image data. The tracheobronchial disease was classified into tracheobronchial stenosis causing from inflammation or lung cancer, bronchiectasis and bronchial cancer. The virtual bronchoscopy is highly recommended as a diagnosis tool with which the specific place of tracheobronchial disease can be identified and the degree of tracheobronchial disease can be measured qualitatively, Also, the virtual bronchoscopy can be used as an education and training tool for endoscopist and radiologist.