“Prominent bronchovascular markings in both perihilar regions” on a chest X-ray is a very common and usually non-serious finding. It means the blood vessels and airways near the center of the lungs are appearing more visible than usual — often due to airway inflammation, infection, or allergies, rather than any permanent lung damage.
What it usually indicates
• In people with asthma or allergic airway disease, the airways become temporarily inflamed, leading to mild prominence of bronchial markings.
• It can also appear during respiratory infections, smoking exposure, or pollution, and often resolves once the underlying inflammation settles.
• It is not a sign of cancer or permanent scarring by itself.
After completing treatment
Once asthma and airway inflammation are controlled with medicines (inhalers, anti-allergics, etc.), the bronchovascular markings often become normal or less prominent on a follow-up X-ray. However:
• In some individuals, mild prominence may persist even when they are symptom-free — this can be a normal variant and not worrisome.
• The X-ray alone is not the best tool to monitor asthma improvement; clinical symptoms and lung function tests (PFT/spirometry) are much more accurate indicators of control.
Take care and wishing you good health.
— Dr. Neelesh Guttikonda
MD Pulmonary Medicine | Fellowship in Interventional Pulmonology
Next Steps
What you can do
• Continue the prescribed treatment regularly as advised by your pulmonologist.
• Avoid dust, smoke, and allergens.
• Get a Pulmonary Function Test after completing treatment to objectively assess improvement.
• A repeat X-ray can be done if your doctor recommends, but small residual markings are usually harmless.
Health Tips
Reassurance:
Prominent bronchovascular markings are common and reversible with proper treatment. The key is good asthma control rather than repeated X-rays. With regular follow-up and inhaler use, your lungs can remain healthy and symptom-free.