The significance of bronchial artery dilatation in pulmonary embolism

Objective: To assess the significance of bronchial artery dilatation in pulmonary embolism. Methods: Spiral CT imaging findings and clinical data in 48 cases of pulmonary embolism were retrospectively analyzed and a comparison group was set up for observing the numbers of bronchial artery dilatation and analyzing its significance: Results: Among the 48 cases of pulmonary embolism and the control group, the bronchial artery was detected in 41 cases and 12 cases, respectively. The difference of two groups showed highly statistical significance (χ2 = 11.57, P<0.01). The pulmonary embolism group had 27 cases of bronchial artery dilatation and the control group had no bronchial artery dilatation. 48 cases of pulmonary embolism were divided into two groups: central group and peripheral group. The bronchial artery dilatation mainly appeared in the cases that had extensive pulmonary embolism. Among them, 14 cases were in central group, 13 cases were in peripheral group. The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 5.42, P<0.05). Conclusion: It suggested that the degree of pulmonary embolism was severe when bronchial artery dilatation occurred with pulmonary embolism. (authors)