Bronchial vascularization in patients with bronchiectasis.

An analysis of the angiographic patterns of bronchial vascularization in 22 patients with bronchiectasis is presented. The studies disclosed three types of angiographic patterns: (1) bronchial hypervascularization alone; (2) bronchial hypervascularization associated with bronchopulmonary anastomoses, and (3) bronchial hypervascularization with plexiform enlargement of bronchial arteries, vascular collections or angiomatous structures. These types of angiographic pattern show a good correlation with the clinical features and supplment the global assessment of the extent and character of bronchiectasis. Selective bronchial arteriography is useful in patients with bronchiectasis where surgical treatment has been planned, especially if the disease is associated with hemoptysis.