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Research Paper | Medical Science | India | Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023
Tracheobronchial Anatomical Variants during Bronchoscopy - An Observational Study
Dr. Vamshi Krishna J M | Dr. Akshata J S [2] | Dr. Raghu B P
Abstract: Introduction: A comprehensive knowledge of the normal pattern of endobronchial branching is essential in pulmonology. The classification systems available are predominantly static descriptions and only seldom do they refer to possible variations within normal spectrum. Most of variations are incidental findings during bronchoscopy. Bronchial variations may have important implications in bronchoscopy diagnostic and interventional procedures. Aim of the Study: To describe the frequency of anatomical variations in trachea bronchial tree or tracheobronchial variants (TBV) and analyse their types. Materials and Methodology: A retrospective observational study on patients undergone flexible bronchoscopy irrespective of indication and outcome in SDS TUBERCULOSIS RESEARCH CENTRE AND RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF CHEST DISEASES from 2021 January to 2022 December. Results and Discussion: Total 342 bronchoscopies were done for various indications, out of which 42 patients (12%) had anatomical variants. Male predominance was observed (69%), bilateral variants were seen in 11% patients and 9% had more than one variant. Over all we found 16 different variants. Right lung was more prone to anatomical variants (77%) and were most frequently found in right upper lobe (64%). Most common variant was bifurcation of right upper lobe followed by quadrivalent variant of right upper lobe. We identified 4 different patterns of bifurcation, one had tracheal bronchus just above carina. Our results were comparable to previous studies. Conclusion: The anatomical variations in trachea bronchial tree were found in 12% of the cases with majority involving right upper lobe. Bifurcation of upper lobe bronchus was the most common variant.
Keywords: Anatomical variants, Tracheobronchial tree, Bronchoscopy, Trifurcation, Bifurcation
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023,
Pages: 588 - 591