Bronchial Pulmonary Pattern

A bronchial pulmonary pattern is usually indicative of inflammation or infection within the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue. This pattern is characterized by increased visibility and thickening of the bronchial walls, and may be accompanied by other changes in the lung parenchyma. Conditions such as bronchitis, asthma and allergic airway disease often present with a bronchial pattern radiographically.

Normal

• No evidence of a bronchial pattern
  • There is no evidence of thickening of the bronchial wall, mucus plugging or broncholiths, donuts and/or tram tracks

• A donut/tram tramline or 2 is noted
  • Not enough donuts or tram tracks to fulfill bronchial pulmonary pattern requirements.

Abnormal

• A considerable number of donuts recognized in FOV
  • Easily recognizable donuts identified within the lung field

• A considerable number of tram tracks recognized in field of view
  • Easily recognizable tram tracks identified in field of view.

• A combination of tram tracks and donuts recognized within the field of view.
  • Combination of easily recognizable donuts and tram tracks

• Bronchiectasis - bronchial wall thickening
  • The airways of the lungs become widened with thickened walls.

• Broncholithiasis - bronchial plugging
  • Calcified or ossified material is present within the bronchial lumen.