Computed tomography of the tracheal bronchus

Area of Science:

• Anatomical variations
• Medical imaging
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Tracheal bronchus is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by an ectopic bronchus originating from the trachea above the carina.
• This anomaly typically occurs on the right side and presents in two forms: supernumerary and displaced.

Observation:

• Computed tomography (CT) imaging was utilized to examine two cases of tracheal bronchus.
• The study focused on visualizing the anatomical course and branching patterns of the anomalous bronchus.

Findings:

• CT scans revealed a bronchus arising from the trachea superior to the carina.
• In the 'displaced' type of tracheal bronchus, the anatomic right upper lobe bronchus showed only two segmental bronchi.

Implications:

• Accurate identification of tracheal bronchus via CT is crucial for surgical planning and understanding potential respiratory complications.
• Thin axial and coronal CT sections are recommended for optimal visualization of this rare airway anomaly.