Bronchomalacia describes weak bronchial cartilage which allows excessive airway collapsibility, best demonstrated on dynamic CT in forced expiration 1. Importantly, substantial collapse can occur in normal healthy individuals and there is considerable overlap so that CT appearances alone are non-diagnostic 3.
Terminology
Bronchomalacia can be localized or may coexist with tracheomalacia.
Pathology
Bronchomalacia may be congenital or can follow chronic inflammatory injury.
Radiographic features
CT
Bronchomalacia is best demonstrated on dynamic CT in forced expiration. The luminal diameter may decrease by 70-80%, impairing downstream ventilation. It can be associated with bronchial wall thickening and often involves the trachea (tracheomalacia).
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