Acute airway obstruction is much more common in infants and children than in adults because of their unique anatomic and physiologic features. Even in young patients with partial airway occlusion, symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Factors that predispose children to airway compromise include the orientation of their larynx, the narrow caliber of their trachea, and their weak intercostal muscles. Because the clinical manifestations of acute airway obstruction are often nonspecific, clinicians often rely on the findings at imaging to establish a diagnosis. Several key anatomic features of the pediatric airway make it particularly susceptible to respiratory distress, and the imaging recommendations for children suspected of having acute airway obstruction are presented. Although cross-sectional imaging may be helpful, the diagnosis can often be established by using radiographs alone. Radiographs of the chest and upper airway should be routinely acquired; however, for the child who is in severe distress, a single lateral radiographic view may be all that is necessary. The purpose of this article is to provide an imaging approach to acquired causes of acute airway obstruction in children, including (a) abnormalities affecting the upper portion of the airway, such as croup, acute epiglottitis, retropharyngeal infection, and foreign bodies, and (b) abnormalities affecting the lower portion of the airway, such as asthma, bronchiolitis, and foreign bodies. It is essential that the radiologist recognize key imaging findings and understand the pathophysiologic features of acute airway obstruction because in most cases, when the cause is identified, the condition responds well to prompt management.

No abstract

No abstract

Since 2011, the University of British Columbia (UBC) medical curriculum has taught anatomy in conjunction with radiology in order to give students a greater understanding of anatomical relationships and their application to clinical practice. Based on student preference, we are preparing a learning resource which encompass highly‐interactive computed tomography (CT) studies using an anatomy visualization table (Sectra, Linkoping, Sweden). Real patient CT scans are loaded into an anatomy visualization table and students can virtually cut and dissect these datasets to expose the anatomy in two and three dimensions. We would like to present a model for the integration of digital dissection with cadaveric dissection in a first year curriculum of a large medical school, with the aim of providing a direct link from the lab to the clinical application.MethodsNormal CT studies of the spine, thorax, heart, abdomen and pelvis were identified from the online case library affiliated with the anatomy visualization table and labeled to reflect specific learning objectives for first year UBC medical students. The radiological and gross anatomy objectives are closely linked. The students were provided with lab guides that specify UBC‐labeled files for study, learning objectives and relevant anatomy/clinical review questions pertinent to each lab. Students viewed both the two and three dimensional images during the lab.ResultsThis anatomy visualization table is a highly valuable learning tool as it allows students to better visualize and relate anatomical structures they learn in dissection lab with the same structures on two dimensional and three dimensional CT images. The table provides improved appreciation for anatomical relationships by allowing students to zoom, rotate and dissect 3D CT images with simple swiping hand gestures. This abstract will present lessons learned from this integration including the highlights and the challenges.ConclusionsFor medical students, who will be primarily looking at anatomy on radiology images throughout their careers, this technology allows them to become more familiar with radiological imaging early on in their training. Our radiological anatomy‐gross anatomy integrated curriculum allows students to link the clinical application of the anatomy to their dissection experience, thereby providing an authentic link to the clinic where they will be applying their knowledge throughout their careers.