Development of a preliminary pediatric tracheal growth model from magnetic resonance images

Abstract

Our study demonstrates the potential to create a growth model of the normal trachea based on cross-sectional area of the trachea using MRIs. Even with the relatively small number of patients used to build it, the model has demonstrated some ability to be used as an objective prediction tool when deciding a treatment path for a patient. With continued development of precise, objective measures to diagnose the severity of the tracheal stenosis, more patients can be given early and accurate prognosis and be treated appropriately.

Lower airway dimensions in pediatric patients—A computed tomography study

“…Numbers (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) represent corresponding positions as shown in Figure 1. Best coefficients are marked as bold letters.…”

“…A small number of studies using computed tomography (CT) have focused on the dimensions of the growing trachea, the angle of tracheal bifurcation or bronchial morphometry . The available literature for the pediatric population focuses more on defining reliable predictors of upper airway and tracheal dimensions in terms of age, height, and weight . So far, there is only limited data available regarding lower airway dimensions in children .…”

Pediatric tracheal dimensions on computed tomography and its correlation with tracheostomy tube sizes

“…Despite its limitations, CT scan is considered to be a superior radiological investigation to evaluate the upper airway dimensions by many authors . Most of the MRI scans in children are done under anesthesia, requiring intubation, which cancels the ability to measure tracheal dimensions . Hence, this was not the preferred modality in our study.…”

Airway dimensions from fetal life to adolescence—A literature overview

“…In five studies 82,86,88,91,92 no data is provided on the sex of the patients. As a result of the technical 3.5 | Magnetic resonance tomography/imaging [94][95][96][97][98][99][100] Six MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies from 1996 94 to 2017 99 were analyzed (Supplementary Appendix SIV). The study size was between 72 96 and 117 99 patients.…”