Radioanatomical study of the bronchovascular anomalies of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung using multidetector computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Preoperative evaluation of bronchovascular structures is useful for prevention of accidents in pulmonary lobectomy. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and multidetector computed tomographic (CT) appearances of bronchovascular anomalies between the right middle and lower lobes.


METHODS
A total of 1116 consecutive chest CT examinations were analyzed in the present study. On display, the bronchovascular anomalies between the right middle and lower lobes were searched. When anomalous structures were observed, 3-dimensional images were reconstructed.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven cases (6.0%) with anomalous findings were observed. In 20 cases (1.79%), the right middle lobe bronchus and artery supplied the lower lobe, whereas the lower lobe artery supplied the right middle lobe in 46 cases (4.12%). In 1 case (0.09%), the 2 patterns previously mentioned were observed concomitantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Anomalous bronchovascular structures between the right middle and lower lobes were identified by a multidetector CT with an incidence of 6.0%. Knowledge of the frequency and CT features is useful for preoperative CT evaluation.
Okumura
Yusuke
Y
Department of Radiological Technology, Ishikawaken Saiseikai Kanazawa Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan. oxson@mist.ocn.ne.jp
Suzuki
Masayuki
M
Takemura
Akihiro
A
Takahashi
Shiro
S
D001980:Bronchi / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001995:Bronchography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*