Bronchial arterial multislice CT angiography for evaluation of intra-spinal canal, esophageal and tracheal enhancement / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To search for a better way than DSA to display the bronchial arterial (BA) supply of spinal cord, esophagus, trachea, etc., and for further evaluation of BA supply to the above structures, along with reducing the complications of trans-BA infusion and/or embolization. Methods Multislice CT angiography of BA (BA-MSCTA) was performed on 19 patients suffering from lung cancer or hemoptysis due to bronchiectasis after undergoing digital subtraction angiography BA (BA-DSA). Totally 10ml of 45% contrast medium was injected into BA (1～2 ml/s), BA-MSCTA was started 5 s after the injection, scanning from low cervical region to the bottom of lung (collimation 5 mm; no overlapping reconstruction ). The intra-spinal canal, esophagus, trachea, etc. were enhanced. Results On BA-DSA, except one case in which a bronchial artery was faintly displayed, no spinal artery, intra-spinal canal, esophagus or trachea enhancement could be demonstrated. While on BA-MSCTA, intra-spinal canal associated with an intercostobronchial trunk enhancement due to truncus formation were observed in seven cases, including five cases of spinal enhancement (5/19,26.3%). 15 cases of esophageal enhancement and 18 cases of tracheal enhancement were also observed. Conclusion BA-CTA is superior to BA-DSA in displaying the BA supply of spinal cord, esophagus, trachea, etc.. Spinal arteries are more likely to appear in intercostobronchial truncus cases.