Virtual bronchoscopy with perfluoronated hydrocarbon enhancement

Bronchoscopic computed tomography (CT) is limited by machine resolution and airsoft-tissue contrast. The objective of this study was to determine whether improving the contrast by using the contrast agent perflubron (PFOB) in the lung would improve the bronchoscopic CT technique and permit visualization of small airways. Bronchoscopic CT was performed in an anesthetized 8-week-old New Zealand white rabbit before and after the endotracheal administration of PFOB. Bronchoscopic CT performed with PFOB permitted navigation of bronchi as small as 0.8 mm in diameter, which are much smaller than those that can be navigated without PFOB. In this example, the use of perfluorochemicals with bronchoscopic CT enhanced the capabilities of virtual bronchoscopy.