Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 86 patients with bronchoscopically proven endobronchial neoplasms. There were 76 primary and 10 metastatic lesions. CT correctly identified the abnormal airway in 95% of cases (82/86) by demonstrating either nodule, mass, or stricture. A discrete endobronchial nodule was seen in 55% (47/86). There was good morphological correlation of CT with bronchoscopic findings (89% for discrete nodule, 80% overall). Appropriate atelectasis was noted in 80% (69/86) of cases. CT is sensitive in detecting and localizing endobronchial neoplasms and correlates well with bronchoscopic findings.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fluorescence bronchoscopy for localization of carcinoma in situ.

A fluorescence bronchoscope system has been developed for imaging lung tumors by fluorescence of a previously injected, tumor-specific agent hematoporphyrin derivative. Carcinoma in situ has been localized, but there are too many false positives and negatives. A new system has been implemented which allows rapid switching between viewing of fluorescence, and viewing of the same area under white light illumination as in conventional bronchoscopy. The excitation source is a violet krypton ion laser coupled to a fused quartz fiber light conductor, with a diverging microlens to spread the light uniformly. A third-generation, microchannel plate image intensifier amplifies the weak fluorescence for viewing and video display, recording, and analysis. A movable mirror and periscope bypasses the intensifier for normal color viewing and video display and recording, with the laser shutter closed and the white light shutter open. This facilitates accurate localization, comparison of the color and fluorescence images, and precise sampling during biopsy. The improved system should reduce the false positive rate due to biopsy sampling error, and together with the video analyzer should reduce indeterminate results.

Bronchoscopes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Digital background subtraction for fluorescence imaging.

A method of enhancing contrast in fluorescence imaging has been devised, based on real-time digital subtraction of a background video image from a signal-plus-background video image. Color filters are used to differentiate signal from background. The technique has been applied to detection of small tumors labeled with the tumor specific fluorescent drug hematoporphyrin derivative.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A system for real time fluorescence imaging in color for tumor diagnosis.

Early tumors can be diagnosed by the fluorescence of an injected, tumor-specific agent such as dihematoporphyrin ether. However, brightness or intensity contrast is low because of the autofluorescence of tissue. Addition of color (hue) information aids in detection of tumors, and in elimination of false positives. Standard color video cameras are not sensitive enough to image the weak fluorescence. Thus an intensified monochrome video camera has been equipped with a synchronized color filter wheel, and the image displayed by multiplexing alternate lines to a red green blue (RGB) monitor.

Animals↗