Bronchiectasis Definition etc

• Bronchiectasis:

  • Bronchiectasis is the term used for chronic dilatation of one or more bronchi
  • ‘bronchi’ = airways
  • ‘ectasis’ = widening
  • It is NOT the same as chronic bronchitis
• Clinical Features of Bronchiectasis:

  • Persistent, often productive cough
  • Haemoptysis – coughing up blood
  • Breathlessness
  • Decreased exercise tolerance
  • Finger clubbing (severe disease)
  • Chest pain (infective exacerbation or musculoskeletal)
• Bronchiectasis - Spirometry:

  • Bronchiectasis does affect, therefore is a disease of, the airways
  • Although bronchiectasis initially causes dilation of the airways, its an obstructive disease, due to build up of mucus
• Bronchoscopy:

  • Sputum in trachea and left main bronchus

  
• Diagnosis of bronchiectasis:

  • CT scan is main diagnostic tool for bronchiectasis
  • Chest X-Ray – insensitive diagnostic tool for bronchiectasis