Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Bronchoesophageal Arteries: Normal Findings and Hypertrophy in Dogs

Background: This study was performed to describe the anatomical features and diameter of the bronchoesophageal artery (BEA) in healthy dogs using ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography, and to retrospectively characterize the imaging patterns of BEA hypertrophy and its associated underlying diseases in dogs.Methods: In the anatomic evaluation, ECG-gated contrast-enhanced cardiac CT was performed and the origin, course, and diameter of the BEA were assessed in four healthy Beagles.In the retrospective study, medical records and thoracic CT images of dogs diagnosed with BEA hypertrophy were reviewed, and seven dogs were included.The main pulmonary artery (MPA)-to-ascending aorta (MPA:Asc Ao) and MPA-to-descending aorta (MPA:Des Ao) ratios were calculated to assess pulmonary hypertension, and the BEA:Des Ao ratio was used to normalize BEA diameter to body size.Results: In healthy Beagles, the BEA was consistently visualized on cardiac CT, with diameters ranging from 1.10 to 1.29 mm and a BEA:Des Ao ratio of 0.12-0.14.Variable origins and courses were observed.Among the seven dogs with BEA hypertrophy, the BEA diameter ranged from 2.60 to 7.68 mm and the BEA:Des Ao ratio ranged from 0.20 to 0.40.All seven dogs had MPA:Asc Ao > 1.057 and MPA:Des Ao > 1.111, consistent with pulmonary hypertension.Conclusion: ECG-gated cardiac CT enables consistent visualization and measurement of the canine BEA.The BEA:Des Ao ratio is proposed as a potential body-size-independent index of BEA enlargement.BEA hypertrophy in dogs is most frequently associated with chronic heartworm disease with pulmonary hypertension but may also occur secondary to chronic bronchiectasis or as a congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunt.