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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Three-Dimensional Printing of a Complex Aortic Anomaly
Published on: November 1, 2018
Accessory cardiac bronchus: 3D CT demonstration in nine cases
B Ghaye1, X Kos, R F Dondelinger
1Department of Medical Imaging, University Hospital Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
Insights
Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB), a rare congenital anomaly, was identified in 0.08% of chest CT scans. This study details nine cases, highlighting its origin and characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Congenital Anomalies
- Radiology
Background:
- Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB) is a rare congenital anomaly, typically reported in isolated case studies.
- Understanding its prevalence and anatomical variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a series of Accessory Cardiac Bronchus (ACB) cases.
- To determine the frequency of ACB in routine chest CT examinations.
- To describe the anatomical features and variations of ACB.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11,159 routine spiral CT chest examinations.
- Identification and documentation of Accessory Cardiac Bronchus (ACB) cases.
- Utilized 3D shaded-surface display (SSD) and virtual endobronchial navigation for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Nine cases of Accessory Cardiac Bronchus (ACB) were detected, yielding a frequency of 0.08%.
- ACB most commonly originated from the intermediate bronchus (8/9 cases).
- Morphological variations included blind extremities and ventilated lobules; associated pulmonary artery anomalies were noted in one case.
Conclusions:
- Accessory Cardiac Bronchus (ACB) is an uncommon anomaly with specific origins and morphological characteristics.
- Advanced imaging techniques like 3D SSD and virtual navigation aid in ACB diagnosis.
- Further research into ACB is warranted given its rarity and potential clinical implications.
Abstract:
Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB) has been described mainly as isolated case reports in the literature. We report nine consecutive cases of ACB, which occurred in five males and four females and were detected in 11,159 routine spiral CT examinations of the chest, performed between 1994 and 1998. Frequency of the anomaly was 0.08 %. Accessory cardiac bronchus originated from the intermediate bronchus in eight cases and from the right main bronchus in one case. Mean largest diameter of ACB was 8.7 mm (range 4.0-13.8 mm) and mean length was 11.9 mm (range 4.2-23.4 mm). An abnormal pulmonary artery was observed in one case. Six bronchi presented with a blind distal extremity and three showed a ventilated lobulus with a mean largest diameter of 37.5 mm (range 18.6-62.0 mm). All ACBs were documented by 3D shaded-surface display (SSD) and virtual endobronchial navigation, which may facilitate the diagnosis. The literature was reviewed.
