Objective: We aim of this work to evaluate the diagnostic
accuracy of virtual bronchoscope(VB) compared to conventional
bronchoscopies (CB) (fiberoptic (FOB) or rigid (RB)) and the viability
of their use by thoracic surgeons.
Background: Virtual Bronchoscopy is a recent method that
permits visualization and evaluationdown to the fourth order
branches. In comparison with CB, VB can analyze extra luminal
compressions and also evaluate areas beyond even high-grade
stenosis, even more mapping the route for scoping by FOB or RB
which may be troublesome or distressing to the patient.
Methods: This randomized study included five hundred patients
with different lesions of thethorax. All of them were admitted to Benha
university hospitals from October 2012 to October 2019. All cases
were examined with either FOB or RB then reviewed by radiologists
and thoracic surgeons. These results were compared with each other’s.
Results: FOB and RB time has been decreased by VB which
guide the thoracic surgeon evenmore facilitate transbronchial needle
sampling for the extraluminal pathology.
Conclusion: VB is currently used in clinical practice and seems
valuable to review its potentialclinical diagnostic indications. Both
VB and CB might be considered as complementary modalities for
confirmation of this diagnosis