Atypical bronchus in the right lower lobe: Computed tomography‐based analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to define the subsuperior bronchus (B*) and reestablish the bronchial anatomy of the right lower lobe (RLL) by assessment of atypical bronchi. Materials and Methods: Chest computed tomography (CT) scans of 500 consecutive patients were retrospectively evaluated. All CT scans were acquired with 64-slice scanners. Atypical bronchi in the RLL were classified on the basis of running direction and shape: lateral (Lat), posterolateral (PL), posterior (Post), Lat + PL, and PL + Post. We classified an atypical bronchus in the basal segmental bronchus (BSB) stem running posteriorly or posterolaterally as B* and a para-lateral bronchus running laterally as Para-B8. The B* posts running posteriorly were named P1, and those running medially P2.