An anatomical study of the right bronchial tree using multi-detector computed tomography

Surg Radiol Anat. 2019 Mar;41(3):335-338. doi: 10.1007/s00276-019-02199-7. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Abstract

Purpose: The aims were to study the pattern of right bronchial tree with multi-detector CT.

Methods: 238 patients were enrolled. The three-dimensional bronchial tree images were acquired using the post-processing technique of CT.

Results: There were mainly four types for right superior lobe bronchial tree, i.e., (140/238, B1-B2-B3); (44/238, B1 + 2, B3); (28/238, B2, B3); (22/238, B1, B2 + 3). There were two types for right middle lobe bronchial tree, i.e. (229/238, B4, B5); trifurcation of right middle lobe bronchi (9/238). There were mainly four types for right inferior lobe bronchial tree, i.e., (135/238, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10); (42/238, B6, B7, B8, B10); (25/238, B6, B7, B8 + 9, B10); (21/238, B6, B7, B8-B9-B10).

Conclusions: The present study describes variations in the anatomy of the right bronchial tree, and reveals that there were mainly four types for right superior lobe bronchial tree, two types for right middle lobe bronchial tree, and four types for right inferior lobe bronchial tree.

Keywords: Anatomy; Computed tomography; Right bronchial tree.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bronchi / anatomy & histology*
  • Bronchi / diagnostic imaging*
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*