Bronchial arteries: CT demonstration with arteriographic correlation.

Abstract

Dynamic computed tomography (CT) was performed in nine patients with enlarged bronchial arteries documented by arteriography. Plain and contrast-material-enhanced CT scans of two more patients with prominent bronchial arteries were retrospectively reviewed. The study was conducted to determine visibility of the bronchial artery with CT and to depict the anatomic relationship of its mediastinal portion to surrounding structures. The mediastinal portion of the bronchial artery was successfully outlined as nodular or linear densities on all dynamic CT scans. The right bronchial artery was confirmed to arise from the medial wall of the thoracic aorta, whereas the left arises from the anterior wall. Because of its retroesophageal location, the enlarged right bronchial artery can compress the posterior wall of the esophagus. It is postulated that the left bronchial artery occasionally traverses the aorticopulmonary window, recognized as nodular or linear densities below the aortic arch on CT scans.

64-detector row CT evaluation of bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries in life-threatening haemoptysis

“…The fact that the majority of right bronchial arteries arise in the medial wall of the descending aorta whereas most left bronchial arteries arise in the anterior wall of the descending aorta is confirmed in this study [21,25,26]. The ostia of the right bronchial artery were commonly found to be between the 9 and 10 o'clock positions and those of the left bronchial artery between the 11 and 1 o'clock positions.…”

A rare cause of hemoptysis. orthotopic or ectopic bronchial artery? A brief review of the literature.

“…The normal bronchial arterial system origins from major two branches: The right intercostobronchial trunk, which usually arises from the right posterolateral aspect of the thoracic aorta [1][2][3] and the left bronchial arteries that usually originate from the anterior surface of the thoracic aorta or from the concavity of the aortic arch. The left bronchial arteries pass forward beside the lateral wall of the esophagus, and cross the peribronchial space from the level of the left main bronchus toward the hilum [1][2][3][4][5] . Four kinds of classic bronchial artery branching patterns have been described.…”

“…MDCT angiography has enabled radiologists to provide thin-slice axial images, multi-planar reconstructions, interactive maximum intensity projections, and volume-rendered images to evaluate the origin and course of the abnormal bronchial arteries that may be the cause of hemoptysis. Embolization of the bronchial arteries is the primary treatment option in patients with massive hemoptysis [5] . In conclusion; since the variations of abnormal vascular system of lung can cause hemoptysis it is important to understand normal-abnormal vascular system.…”

Radiological Evaluation of Hemoptysis

“…Tomografik olarak izlenebilen bu anastomozlar değil, genişleyip tortiose bir hal almış olan anormal bronşiyal arterlerdir. Bronşiyal arterler normalde izlenmez veya çok ince olarak izlenirlerken çaplarının 2 mm'nin üzerine çıkma-sı anormal kabul edilir (6). Anormal bronşiyal arterler ÇKBT'de retroözofajiyal, retrotrakeal ve peribronşial alanda, ana bronş arka duvarında ve aortopulmoner pencerede, aorta ile aynı oranda boyanma gösteren, genişlemiş damar yumakları şeklinde izlenir.…”