DIAGNOSISOF THE TRACHEOMALACIA WITHIN SYNDROME OF BREACH OF TRACHEA SUPPORT FUNCTIONUSINGMDCTAND MRI. OPPORTUNITIES. DISADVANTAGES. PRIORITIES
Objective. To demonstrate the priorities and disadvantages of modern methods in identifying the syndrome of breach of trachea support function, named tracheomalacia (TM), and to provide differential diagnostics with expiratory stenosis. Materials and methods. The study included 45 patients with diagnosis of tracheal scary stenosis. Patients were conducted the following studies: fiber-optic bronchoscopy (FBS), functions of external respiration (FER), multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without contrast agent introduction, including the dynamic techniques(functional). Results. TM was found in 16 patients (36% of cases) during the dynamic studies. Expiratory stenosis was detected in one case (2,5%). The results of all studies have been confirmed morphologically: intake of the material duringFBS. Restrictive disorders were diagnosed in all patients by FER. Conclusions. The evaluation of the trachea support function using non-invasive and physiological methods for the purpose of obtaining accurate data of breach of trachea support function isthe most optimal using MDCT or MRI, with dynamic techniques on the background of forced breathing. The obtaining of the most complete information about pathological changes of the intramural component of the trachea wall ispossible using MRI with the introduction of contrast agent.