Airflow patterns in the trachebronchial tree of a patient with an accessory cardiac bronchus: A rare congenital anomaly

Abstract

Accessory cardiac bronchus (ACB) is a rare congenital anomaly mainly located in the medial wall of the intermediate bronchus. This anomaly can present with dyspnea, recurrent infections, and hemoptysis. It usually has a blind ending, which may have an impact on airflow patterns and lobar distribution regardless of its diameter and depth. There have been very few cases with ACB. However, the airflow pattern and lobar distribution have not been well studied. In our case with ACB, the proportion of airflow in the right lung was higher than in the model without ACB, while mean airflow velocities were similar in both models. In this regard, quantitative lung ventilation scintigraphy could be better than the anatomical formula in predicting postoperative forced expiratory volume 1 in patients with accessory cardiac bronchus who will undergo lung resection.