The Bronchial Arteries in Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

A simple technique for the visualisation of the bronchial arteries in vivo is described and examples shown. In 8 cases of fibrocystic disease in children, the bronchial arteries were found to be both dilated and tortuous radiographically. No abnormalities were noted of origin or general course. As pointed out by other investigators, the bronchial arteries are found to enlarge in emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic tuberculosis, infarction and primary lung tumors. All of our cases had emphysematous changes of both lungs and a varying number suffered from bronchiectasis, chronic pneumonitis, and fibrotic changes. These stimuli or yet undetermined stimuli or defects in fibrocystic disease may cause the bronchial arteries to enlarge in this disease.