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Air Bronchogram

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Air Bronchogram, Chest XRay Air Bronchogram

  • See Also
  1. Chest XRay
  2. Chest XRay Interpretation
  3. Atelectasis on Chest XRay
  4. Hilar Adenopathy on Chest XRay
  5. Alveolar Infiltrate on Chest XRay
  6. Interstitial Infiltrate on Chest XRay
  7. Lung Nodule
  8. Straight Pulmonary Lines
  9. Wide Mediastinum on Chest XRay
  10. Chest XRay in Pneumothorax
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Air containing Bronchus
    1. Surrounded by collapsed or consolidated lung
  2. Abnormal fluid filled alveoli (Pneumonia, blood or edema) or Atelectasis outline Bronchi
    1. Results in black branching appearance surrounded by white
  3. Air Bronchograms are useful in several additional ways
    1. Air Bronchograms only occur in conditions affecting the lung
    2. Suggest that secretions able to exit from a consolidated region via Bronchi (good prognostic sign)
  • Interpretation
  1. Lung Consolidation with fluid filled alveoli or Atelectasis
    1. Fluid filled alveoli may be caused by Pneumonia, Pulmonary Hemorrhage or Pulmonary Edema
  2. Absence of Air Bronchogram within Lobar Pneumonia
    1. Evaluate for central lung tumor
  3. False Negative
    1. Poorly penetrated films (white)