Clinical value of 64-slic spiral CT imaging of the bronchial artery in the diagnosis and treatment of primary lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the bronchial artery imaging features of the patients with primary lung cancer by 64-slice CT angiography (CTA) and its clinical value. Methods: 37 cases of primary lung cancer by pathology underwent enhanced 64-slice CT scan. Three dimensional images of the bronchial arteries were processed at the workstation. Spatial anatomical characters of the bronchial arteries were observed using VR and MPR or MIP. Results: 40 bronchial arteries of 36 cases in all the 37 cases could be presented clearly. The detection rate was 97.3%. 3 bronchial arteries (7.5%) are from the aortic arch; 33 bronchial arteries (82.5%) are from the descending aorta; 4 bronchial arteries (10%) are from the intercostals artery. Of all, the caliber of the bronchial arteries and the total axial areas on the side of the lung cancer were significantly larger than those of the other side. Conclusion: 64-slice CT angiography (CTA) is a safe, non- invasive, simple, and effective method in showing the bronchial artery, which can reveal the origin, number, shape, pathway of the bronchial artery in the primary lung cancer. (authors)