Endoscopic nomenclature for bronchopulmonary anatomy

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine
• Medical Imaging and Endoscopy
• Anatomical Nomenclature

Background:

• Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) enables visualization of the peripheral tracheobronchial tree up to fifth-order bronchi.
• Describing pathologies in these distal airways necessitates an expanded anatomical nomenclature.
• Existing systems by Jackson and Huber, Boyden, Ikeda, and Weibel provide foundational concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a practical endoscopic shorthand lettering designation for endobronchial anatomy.
• To facilitate precise description of findings in the peripheral tracheobronchial tree.
• To integrate established anatomical concepts into a unified system.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel lettering designation system for endobronchial anatomy.
• Combination of principles from Jackson and Huber, Boyden, Ikeda, and Weibel.
• Application of the system to designate sub-sub-subsegmental (fifth order) bronchi, exemplified by RB1b1 alpha in the right lung.

Main Results:

• A practical endoscopic shorthand system for describing fifth-order bronchi has been established.
• The proposed nomenclature allows for detailed and specific anatomical referencing.
• The system provides a method for consistent documentation of findings in the peripheral tracheobronchial tree.

Conclusions:

• The developed endoscopic shorthand designation system enhances the description of peripheral tracheobronchial anatomy.
• This practical nomenclature improves the documentation of pathologies visualized via flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
• The system offers a standardized approach for endobronchial anatomical referencing.