Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a dangerous and increasingly common problem. CAO
refers to lesions causing narrowing of the trachea or mainstem bronchi and is generally
divided into malignant and nonmalignant categories. These 2 entities may be caused by a
variety of thoracic and extrathoracic diseases. Imaging is critical during the initial
assessment of CAO and may help thoracic physicians focus the differential diagnosis and
plan the safest and most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. However …