Intercostobronchial trunk

Type I two bronchial arteries on the left, and one on the right (intercostobronchial trunk) present in 40% of cases. 

Communications between bronchial arteries and systemic vessels are ubiquitous, and can sometimes complicate an embolization procedure. The most commonly seen communication is that of a right intercostobronchial trunk with an anterior medullary artery that contributes to the vascular supply of the spinal cord through the anterior spinal artery. The anterior medullary arteries have a characteristic hairpin configuration, and follow a course... 

Fig. 16.6. a Selective angiography of right inter-costobronchial trunk, early phase, b Selective angiography of right intercostobronchial trunk, late phase demonstrating thin arterial structure, with course parallel to vertebral column anterior spinal artery (arrowheads)... 

Fig. 16.7. Selective angiography of right intercostobronchial trunk (arrow), demonstrating connection with the right subclavian artery (arrowhead)...

Fig. 16.16a-c. a Selective catherization of right intercostobronchial trunk with Simmons type 1 catheter notice non-reformed shape, with point of catheter pointing upwards (arrowhead) filling of both intercostal and bronchial branches, b Same patient as in (a), after advancement of microcatheter (arrow) through 4-F diagnostic catheter (arrowhead), c Superselective angiography through microcatheter no flow into intercostal branches is seen, with clear depiction of bronchial vasculature (arrow)... 

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