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Tracheobronchial arterial variants of vertebral artery origin and bronchovertebral arterial anastomoses

  • Anatomic Variations
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Abstract

Purpose

This report describes a series of angiographic observations of tracheobronchial arterial variants and discusses their clinical implications.

Methods

The angiographic features of eleven aberrant tracheal or bronchial arteries are reported, including four variants originating from the vertebral artery and two cases of bronchovertebral anastomosis. An additional observation of thyrothymic artery illustrates the discussion of the mechanisms involved in the development of these variants.

Results

Tracheobronchial arterial variants are predominantly left-sided variants (9 out of 11). They are linked to dominant paratracheal arterial connections, particularly the lateral longitudinal anastomosis. Unusual bronchial arteries of vertebral origin show a strong association with aberrant left vertebral arteries of aortic or proximal subclavian origin.

Conclusion

This report presents a spectrum of tracheo-broncho-vertebral variations and emphasizes the role of previously described paratracheal arterial anastomoses in their formation. These variants can play a critical role during hemoptysis embolotherapy, either as an occult source of hemorrhage or as a risk factor for devastating complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 E Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Philippe Gailloud

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  1. Philippe Gailloud
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PG is the sole author and responsible for the entirety of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Philippe Gailloud.

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Conflict of interest

P. Gailloud is a consultant for Cerenovus (honoraria) and a recipient of research grants from Siemens Medical (paid to institution).

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Gailloud, P. Tracheobronchial arterial variants of vertebral artery origin and bronchovertebral arterial anastomoses. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 665–672 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02924-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02924-9

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