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[The anatomy of the bronchial arteries--their imaging with spiral CT]
H C Schwickert1, H U Kauczor, F Schweden
1Klinik mit Poliklinik für Radiologie, Universitätskliniken Mainz.
Insights
Spiral CT effectively detects bronchial arteries and their anatomical variations. This imaging technique aids in classifying both normal anatomy and pathological changes, crucial for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Bronchial arteries supply the lungs and their variations are important in thoracic pathologies.
- Accurate visualization of bronchial arteries is essential for diagnosing and treating conditions like hemoptysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the capability of spiral CT in detecting bronchial arteries.
- To classify the anatomical variations of bronchial arteries using spiral CT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of routine chest spiral CT scans in 43 patients.
- Spiral CT imaging initiated with a 30-second delay post-contrast administration.
Main Results:
- A total of 67 bronchial arteries were identified in 43 patients.
- Detailed descriptions of origin, course relative to the esophagus, and variations were documented for both right and left bronchial arteries.
- Discernible lengths ranged from 10-90 mm, with proximal diameters typically under 2 mm.
Conclusions:
- Spiral CT is a valuable tool for detecting bronchial arteries.
- The technique allows for detailed classification of bronchial artery anatomy and its variations.
- Spiral CT can aid in identifying pathological changes within bronchial arteries.
Unlabelled:
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the capability of spiral CT in detecting bronchial arteries and in classifying their anatomic variations.
Patients And Methods:
In 43 patients with different diseases routine spiral CTs of the chest were performed and evaluated retrospectively. Spiral CT was started with a delay of 30 seconds after contrast material application.
Results:
In 43 patients a total of 67 bronchial arteries were detected: 31 right, 35 left and one common trunk. 26 right bronchial arteries originated medially, 5 anteriorly from the descending aorta, 7 of them together with an intercostal artery. 25 right bronchial arteries passed dorsally, 6 ventrally to the oesophagus. On the left, all 35 bronchial arteries originated from the anterior aorta: 12 led ventrally through the aorticopulmonary window to the ventral wall of the main bronchus, 14 were directed caudally to the cranial and 9 laterally to the posterior aspect of the main bronchus. The discernible length varied between 15 and 90 mm on the right, and between 10 and 37 mm on the left side. Only in two cases did the proximal diameter measure more than 2 mm.
Conclusion:
Spiral CT offers the possibility to classify the anatomic course and pathologic changes of the bronchial arteries.