Ultrasound imaging features of bronchial anthracofibrosis

Abstract Purpose To determine the ultrasound imaging characteristics of participants with bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) and identify clinical markers for prevention and treatment. Methods We randomly selected 1,243 participants (including 113 with BAF) who underwent bronchoscopy and treatment at our institution from April 2018 to October 2019. BAF was classified as flat, deep seated retracted, or mucosal protrusion type, based on microscopy. Ultrasound probes were used to determine the maximum thickness of the tube wall and submucosa. The average values of the submucosal and bony tissue areas of the BAF subtypes were compared. Results The BAF group included 13 participants with a history of tuberculosis (11.5%) and 57 with biofuel exposure (50.4%). The average exposure time was 17.4 ± 6.2 years; BAF accounted for 10% of bronchoscopies performed. The maximum tube-wall thicknesses of the deep-seated retracted (17.3 ± 5.7) and black protruding (19.3 ± 5.4) groups were significantly greater than that of the flat group (12.5 ± 5.0; P < 0.05). The maximum thicknesses of the submucosa in the deep-retracted (9.8 ± 3.0) and black protruding (14.5 ± 5.0) groups were significantly greater than that of the flat group (6.6 ± 3.5; P < 0.05). The ratios of bone tissue in the flat and black protruding groups were 33.3 ± 9.3% and 34.9 ± 12.1%, respectively; the ratio in the deep-seated retracted group (65.2 ± 8.7%) was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The flat type showed no significant change (P > 0.05). Conclusion Differences in BAF airway remodeling among the different subtypes may lead to varying clinical symptoms. Analyzing the characteristics of BAF airway remodeling and the regulatory pathway may provide new clues for treatment.