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Lower airway dimensions in pediatric patients—A computed tomography study
Author(s) -
Szelloe Patricia,
Weiss Markus,
Schraner Thomas,
Dave Mital H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/pan.13210
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchus , airway , left main bronchus , right main bronchus , computed tomography , anatomy , bronchography , asthma , body weight , radiology , bronchoscopy , respiratory disease , lung , surgery
Summary Background The aim of this study was to obtain lower airway dimensions in children by means of computed tomography (CT). Methods Chest CT scans from 195 pediatric patients (118 boys/77 girls) aged 0.04‐15.99 years were analyzed. Tracheal and bronchial lengths, anterior‐posterior and lateral diameters, as well as cross‐sectional area were assessed at the following levels: mid trachea, right proximal and distal bronchus, proximal bronchus intermedius, and left proximal and distal bronchus. Mediastinal angles of tracheal bifurcation were measured. Data were analyzed by means of linear and polynomial regression plots. Results The strongest correlations were found between tracheal and bronchial diameters and age as well as between tracheal and bronchial lengths and body length. All measured airway parameters correlated poorly to body weight. Bronchial angles revealed no association with patient's age, body length, or weight. Conclusion This comprehensive anatomical database of lower airway dimensions demonstrates that tracheal and bronchial diameters correlate better to age, and that tracheal and bronchial length correlate better to body length. All measured airway parameters correlated poorly to body weight.