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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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