Beyond bronchitis: a review of the congenital and acquired abnormalities of the bronchus

Bronchitis is the generic term referring to inflammation of the bronchial wall, representing the common final response of the airways to irritants. Acute bronchitis is a short-term process (<3 months in length but typically lasting 2–10 days) with symptoms occasionally lingering for 2–3 weeks post-infection, most commonly triggered by a viral upper respiratory infection leading to an inflammatory hyperresponsiveness [15]. Patients typically present with cough, wheezing, dyspnoea, chest discomfort, fever, and occasionally sputum production. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough most days for ≥3 months in 2 consecutive years in patients for whom other causes of chronic cough have been excluded [16].

In both acute and chronic bronchitis, the chest x-ray is often unremarkable. CT demonstrates bronchial wall thickening, a mosaic attenuation pattern of the pulmonary parenchyma, and mucous plugging (Fig. 6a and b) [17]. The descriptive terms “tram tracking” and “peribronchial cuffing” are often used to describe bronchial wall thickening, with the former describing thickened longitudinally oriented bronchi mimicking the parallel rail tracks of a tram and the latter referring to thickened bronchi seen in cross section, also called the “donut sign” (Fig. 6a and b) [18, 19].

Bronchiectasis is the irreversible dilatation of a bronchus. The normal bronchial diameter is typically between 0.7 and 1 times the adjacent pulmonary artery branch diameter, and diameters greater than 1.5 times are considered dilated [20]. Other signs of bronchiectasis include failure to taper as the bronchus courses peripherally and visualisation of the bronchus within 1 cm of the pleural surface [21]. Bronchial dilatation should be present for >6 months to establish its chronicity. Two classic signs of bronchiectasis include the signet ring sign and the finger-in-glove sign (Fig. 7a and b). The signet ring sign, visible on CT imaging, describes a markedly enlarged bronchus mimicking a ring with its accompanying normal pulmonary artery representing the signet emblem (Fig. 7a) [22]. The finger-in-glove sign describes mucous impaction within a dilated bronchus appearing as a radiopaque “finger” in the “glove” of the bronchus (Fig. 7b) [23].

There are three main forms of bronchiectasis, characterised by morphological pattern: cylindrical, varicose, and cystic types (Fig. 8a–c) [24]. Cylindrical bronchiectasis is the most common and is characterised by bronchial dilatation with uniform nontapering or gradual tapering (Fig. 8a). Varicose bronchiectasis is less common and is characterised by a beaded or “string-of-pearls” appearance in which areas of alternating bronchial narrowing and dilatation are present (Fig. 8b). Cystic bronchiectasis is the severest and rarest form of bronchiectasis and is characterised by markedly dilated cyst-like bronchi, which often extend to the pleural surface with a “cluster-of-grapes” appearance (Fig. 8c). The three forms of bronchiectasis can be (and often are) present in the same patient, with the extent and nature of bronchial dilatation often falling along a spectrum of imaging findings.

Post-infectious bronchiectasis is the most common cause of bronchiectasis, occurring secondary to viral, bacterial, and fungal aetiologies [24]. This condition should not be confused with post-infectious transient dilatation of the bronchi, a finding that can persist for up to 4–6 months after an episode of pneumonia [1]. Bronchial changes typically occur in the location of the original infectious process. Lobar bacterial pneumonia may result in focal bronchiectasis of a specific lobe whereas atypical or viral infection may cause more diffuse changes. Elucidating the exact causative organism of post-infectious bronchiectasis is typically difficult because of significant overlap in imaging findings between different infectious organisms; however there are a few pathogens that have specific patterns of bronchiectasis, which, if recognised by the imager, can assist in diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Two of these organisms commonly encountered are Mycobacterial avium complex (MAC) and Aspergillosis.

MAC infection causes different patterns of airspace disease depending on the immune status, behaviour of the patient, and source of infection. Patients typically present with an insidious, often chronic, cough typically productive of purulent sputum. In the classic form, often seen in elderly men with underlying COPD or alcoholism, there is an upper lobe-predominant airspace process characterised by cavitary and ill-defined nodular lesions that mimic tuberculosis infection. Bronchiectasis develops secondary to apical scarring and fibrosis or direct granulomatous damage to the airway (Fig. 9a). The non-classical form of MAC infection, also known as Lady Windermere syndrome, is most commonly seen in elderly women over the age of 60 who actively suppress their cough reflex. Imaging is characterised by mild to moderate cylindrical bronchiectasis typically affecting the anterior basal right middle lobe and lingula, often with associated ill-defined tree-in-bud or centrilobular nodules (Fig. 9b). Atelectasis and scarring of the right middle lobe and lingula may also be present [25, 26]. A third form of MAC infection, also known as hot tub lung, occurs in healthy individuals exposed to aerosolised MAC and will not be reviewed in this article. Management of MAC infection is difficult, often requiring multidrug therapy with treatment regimens lasting at least a year in duration, emphasising the importance of imaging in the early detection and diagnosis of these two presentations. Imaging findings are a particularly important part of the diagnosis for these patients as MAC tends to be difficult to isolate/culture.

This entity is characterised by a hypersensitivity reaction towards the fungal organism Aspergillus growing noninvasively in the lumen of the bronchi. This condition typically occurs in patients with long-standing asthma and is often diagnosed before the age of 40. Imaging typically demonstrates multifocal areas of central bronchiectasis with upper lobe predominance (Fig. 10). High-density mucoid impaction is common, often demonstrating the “finger-in-glove” sign. Other findings include migratory areas of consolidation, atelectasis, ground-glass opacities, mosaic attenuation, and centrilobular nodules [25‐27]. Patients with ABPA usually present with recurrent asthma exacerbations, low-grade fever, malaise, cough, and sputum production with mucous plugs [26, 28].

Recurrent aspiration with subsequent infection/inflammation causes both direct and indirect damage to the airways and can lead to peripheral and dependent lower lung-predominant bronchiectasis. In the setting of superimposed acute or subacute aspiration, findings consistent with endobronchial inflammation are often seen, including ill-defined centrilobular and tree-in-bud nodules in the dependent portions of the lungs (Fig. 11). Other associated findings include bronchial wall thickening and aspirated fluid contents within the trachea or bronchi [24, 26].

UIP refers to a specific pattern of interstitial fibrotic lung disease that demonstrates basilar- and peripheral-predominant coarse reticular opacities that extend to the subpleural surface with basilar-predominant honeycombing (Fig. 12a and b). A varicoid-type basilar-predominant bronchiectasis is typically present in end-stage pulmonary fibrosis as the fibrotic lung pulls (or exerts traction on) the adjacent bronchus leading to irreversible dilatation of the bronchial lumen (referred to as traction bronchiectasis) [29]. Associated findings include borderline enlarged thoracic lymphadenopathy, pulmonary parenchymal distortion, and lobar volume loss. Clinically, patients present with slow-onset exertional dyspnoea and nonproductive cough.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal-recessive condition that results in abnormal chloride transport, primarily affecting the lungs and the pancreas. This condition results in viscous secretions that are difficult to clear, leading to decreased mucus clearance of the airways and subsequent airway obstruction, recurrent infections, and airway damage, which progress over time. CT imaging is sensitive to both the early and late stages of cystic fibrosis. Initially, bronchial wall thickening and peribronchial interstitial prominence are seen [24]. As the disease progresses, upper lobe-predominant bronchiectasis develops, increasing in severity over time (Fig. 13a–c) [25]. Mucoid impaction is often present with associated consolidation/atelectasis. Other typical findings include hyperinflation, mosaic attenuation, bronchiolitis, lymphadenopathy, and pulmonary artery enlargement [30, 31]. Symptoms typically present in childhood with recurrent upper respiratory infection, cough, wheezing, and dyspnoea.

Foreign body aspiration can potentially lead to partial or complete obstruction of the bronchial tree. It is particularly common in young children but can happen at any age. Plain film imaging, while often negative, may demonstrate unilateral hyperinflation if the object acts as a ball valve or collapse if the foreign body is completely obstructive [32]. Inspiratory/expiratory comparison imaging or decubitus views can be useful complementary studies to identify the affected side, typically demonstrating lack of volume change on the side of obstruction (Fig. 14a and b). CT imaging can be used to identify the location of the foreign body, guide intervention, or assess for retained foreign body post intervention [33]. Due to the wider lumen and more vertical angle of the right main bronchus as compared to the left, foreign body aspiration tends to favour the right lung, commonly involving the gravity-dependent portions of the right middle lobe and right lower lobe. Symptoms commonly include coughing, choking, and wheezing.

Acute aspiration is a common cause of bronchial obstruction. Airway involvement is typically gravity dependent. In an upright patient, obstruction typically involves the bilateral lower lobes, right middle lobe, and lingula, whereas in a supine patient obstruction usually involves the posterior aspects of the bilateral upper lobes and superior segments of the lower lobes. Imaging findings are mixed, ranging from interstitial and airway inflammation to areas of consolidation (Fig. 15). Endobronchial material and tree-in-bud and centrilobular nodules are often present [34, 35]. Patients can be asymptomatic or present with coughing, wheezing, tachypnoea, fever, and/or purulent sputum.

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) refers to weakening of the cartilage support of the bronchus or trachea, typically involving the anterior and/or lateral walls, resulting in excessive airway collapse during expiration. Both congenital and acquired variants of TBM exist with acquired forms arising secondary to chronic inflammation, chronic infection, and damage during intubation [36]. Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) also results in narrowing of the airway; however the collapse is due to laxity of the posterior longitudinal elastic fibres with normal cartilaginous rings [37]. These two can be identified as distinct entities on dynamic CT imaging with respiratory manoeuvres. In TBM, the cartilaginous portions of the walls collapse with anterior involvement decreasing the anterior-posterior diameter (crescent-shaped TBM) and lateral involvement decreasing the transverse diameter (saber sheath TBM) (Fig. 16a). In EDAC, only the posterior membrane becomes lax, bulging anteriorly while the rest of the airway wall remains intact (also known as the “frown sign”) (Fig. 16a) [6]. In both cases, airway collapse of greater than 70% between end-inspiratory and end-expiratory imaging is diagnostic (Fig. 16b and c) [6, 38]. Both conditions typically result in dyspnoea, increased sputum production, and infection [6].

Neoplasms, both benign and malignant, are common causes of bronchial obstruction. Occlusion can be secondary to endoluminal growth or extrinsic compression. One of the most commonly encountered bronchial neoplasms is carcinoid tumour, a neuroendocrine neoplasm that favours the central bronchi [39]. Imaging typically shows a well-defined, round or oval endoluminal perihilar enhancing mass, often with calcification. Primary lung malignancy, especially centrally located neoplasms such as small cell lung cancer, and metastatic disease are common causes of bronchial obstruction. While these lesions typically cause extrinsic compression or direct invasion of the bronchus, they can also have endoluminal growth. Post-obstructive atelectasis or pneumonia commonly occurs with all forms of bronchial obstruction including neoplasms (Fig. 17a and b). Patients often present with cough, haemoptysis, wheezing, and recurrent pneumonia. In the setting of malignancy, constitutional symptoms of weight loss, malaise, and night sweats may also be present.

This is a broad group of pulmonary conditions, which are characterised by the formation of granulomas. Obstruction can be from endoluminal granuloma formation or secondary to extrinsic compression. Common noninfectious aetiologies include sarcoidosis, silicosis/pneumoconioses, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, granulomatosis with polyangitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Infectious aetiologies include tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis. Imaging often reveals pulmonary nodules and lymphadenopathy, some of which may demonstrate calcification [40‐42]. Granulomatous disease tends to be upper lobe predominant and bilateral (Fig. 18a and b). While some patients are asymptomatic, common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, malaise, and night sweats.

Broncholiths can arise from a concretion (hard substance formed around an inorganic centre) or from erosion of a calcified pulmonary nodule into an adjacent bronchus. These lesions can be partially or completely obstructive. Concretions typically are 2–15 mm irregularly shaped endoluminal calcifications with angled margins following the contour of the bronchus, whereas eroded calcified nodules are often round or oval in shape (Fig. 19) [43]. Associated findings commonly include mucoid impaction, post-obstructive atelectasis, air-trapping, and distal bronchiectasis [44]. Broncholith formation favours the right middle lobe and the bilateral upper lobes. Patients may be asymptomatic or present with a nonproductive cough, haemoptysis, or recurrent infections.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways typified by reversible airway obstruction and at least partially reversible inflammation. In patients with severe or chronic recurrent asthmatic symptoms, the hyperactive airways demonstrate chronic inflammation, bronchial oedema, and wall thickening. Plain film and CT imaging in asthma patients is often unremarkable. If severe and/or chronic, hyperinflation, mosaic attenuation, bronchial wall thickening, and bronchiectasis can be seen (Fig. 20). Patients classically present with episodic wheezing, cough, dyspnoea, and chest tightness.