Correct!
3. Thoracic CT scan

The thoracic CT scan should be done before a bronchoscopy to detect pathology which could potentially be biopsied during the procedure.

Selected images from the thoracic CT scan are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Selected views from the thoracic CT scan showing focal thickening of the posterior wall of the trachea (arrowheads). The thickening is best seen on the sagittal image (Panels A and B, arrows).

Which of the following should be done at this time? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the final of five pages)

  1. Bronchoscopy
  2. Empiric ceftriaxone for epiglottitis
  3. Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of the trachea
  4. Pulmonary CT angiography
  5. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) biopsy

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