Tracheobronchial Angle Measurements in Children: An Anthropometric Retrospective Study With Multislice Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to investigate if any change exists in the values of tracheal bifurcation angles (subcarinal angle [SCA] and interbronchial angle [IBA]), right and left bronchial angles (RBA and LBA) in different pediatric age groups. METHODS Chest computed tomography (CT) images of children aged 18 years and younger were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists who were blinded to each other's measurements. One hundred and eighteen children were involved. RBA, LBA, SCA, and IBA were measured on coronal reformatted images. Subjects were classified into three groups according to their age. Measurement of IBA was done by measuring the angle between the lines drawn along the central axis of right and left main bronchi over their length. RBA and LBA were measured at the intersection points of the lines drawn along the inferior borders of the right and left main bronchi and the line passing through the longitudinal axis of trachea. Sums of RBA and LBA gave SCA. Interobserver agreement was also analyzed. RESULTS SCA, IBA, and RBA values were statistically significant between children of ages less than 10 years and over 10 years P<0.01). Interobserver agreement was excellent with an intraclass correlation coefficient score of 0.87 (95% confidence interval) for RBA, SCA, and IBA measurements. CONCLUSION We concluded that tracheal bifurcation angles are wider in children of age 10 years and younger. As age increases values of SCA, IBA, and RBA decrease.