Advanced Technologies for Imaging and Visualization of the Tracheobronchial Tree: From Computed Tomography and MRI to Virtual Endoscopy.

Advanced imaging plays an increasingly important role in the evaluation of the trachea. The use of computed tomography (CT) has evolved to include multi-planar reconstructions and 3-dimensional reconstructions for the evaluation of benign and malignant disease of the trachea. Advanced applications of CT include dynamic expiratory imaging for the diagnosis of tracheomalacia and virtual endoscopy as a complementary or alternative examination to flexible bronchoscopy. MRI of the trachea has limited applications but may see increased use in the future.