Medical Radiology - Lazar A.P. 2008

Radiation Examination of the Thoracic Organs
Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the Bronchi clinically manifested by a cough with sputum production, fever, dyspnea, and intoxication.

In acute bronchitis, the radiographic findings are unremarkable. Only in severe cases is there an enhancement of the pulmonary pattern, occasionally revealing paired parallel shadows of thickened bronchial walls of the 3rd–4th orders and their Y-shaped bifurcations.

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by enhancement and distortion of the pulmonary pattern. Thickened bronchial walls appear on radiographs as paired linear shadows (the "tram-track" sign) as well as ring-like shadows (when the bronchi are oriented axially to the X-ray beam). Bronchograms show irregular bronchial contours, dilated mucous gland orifices, and a reduced number of bronchial branches. Nearly half of patients with chronic bronchitis present with a normal chest radiograph, while pathological changes may emerge later due to complications such as Pneumonia or emphysema.



Last update: 08/08/2026

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