Computed tomography of bronchi and pulmonary vessels

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the normal and pathological cross sectional appearance of the bronchial tree and pulmonary vessel with using computed tomography. In the aid of phantom study, the nomenclature of normal bronchial trees and pulmonary vessels on CT were performed. Not only the main and lobar bronchus, but also the proximal portion of segment bronchus including some subsegment bronchus that courses horizontally can be identified on CT. Pulmonary vessels that course horizontally can be good delineated in a serial course up to their periphery. Pathological bronchial findings on CT were classified into 5 groups, such as 1) bronchial obstruction 2) tumor protruding 3) bronchial narrowing 4) compression or deviation 5) air bronchogram. In a series of 43 lung cancer examination, a type of bronchial obstruction was frequently observed. On the other hand, pathological findings of pulmonary vessels on CT were grouped in 4 types, as 1) converging type 2) dilatation 3) obstruction 4) compression. Peripheral convergence of pulmonary vessel was common finding on CT in the case of lung cancer. (author)