Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Tree in bud
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The “tree-in-bud” pattern at thin-section computed tomography is characterized by small centrilobular nodules of soft-tissue attenuation connected to multiple branching linear structures of similar caliber originating from a single stalk. This pattern also resembles the small objects used in the childhood game of jacks.
Causes
Causes
- Initially described in cases of endobronchial spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- The “tree-in-bud” pattern has subsequently been reported as a manifestation of a variety of entities, including:
- Peripheral airway diseases such as infection (bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic)
- Congenital disorders
- Idiopathic disorders (obliterative bronchiolitis, panbronchiolitis)
- Aspiration
- Inhalation
- Immunologic disorders
- Connective tissue disorders
- Peripheral pulmonary vascular diseases (i.e. neoplastic pulmonary emboli).
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]