Bronchiecstasis Flashcards
What is bronchiecstasis?
Chronic dilation of one or more bronchioles
cannot clear mucus secretions
What causes bronchiecstasis?
Chronic inflammation of bronchioles
break down of tissue in bronchioles
especially elastic fibres
What causes chronic inflammation in the bronchioles with bronchiecstasis?
Infections e.g. TB, pneumonia
Immunodeficiency
Mucus not being cleared
What microbes are most common in causing chronic inflammation in the bronchioles with bronchiecstasis?
Haemophilus influenzae
Pseudomonas
What causes mucus to not be cleared in the bronchioles with bronchiecstasis?
Thicker mucus e.g. cystic fibrosis
How does bronchiecstasis affect airflow in the bronchioles?
Obstruction to airflow
reduces airflow
What is the complication of mucus not being cleared from the bronchioles with bronchiecstasis?
Bacteria build up in mucus
cause infection, recurrent and chronic
What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiecstasis?
Chronic cough
Coughing sputum, varies
Coughing up blood, haemoptysis
Breathlessness of exertion
Chest pain, due to chronic, recurrent chest infections
Wheeze
How is bronchiecstasis diagnosed?
High resolution CT
Sputum culture
History of signs and symptoms
What is seen on a high resolution CT scan of a patient with bronchiecstasis?
Bronchioles are larger than adjacent artery
What might be found in a sputum culture of a patient with bronchiecstasis?
Haemophilus influenza
Pseudomonas
How is bronchiecstasis treated?
Physiotherapy to clear mucus from bronchioles
Long term prophylactic antibiotics
Flu vaccine
Infective exacerbations management plan
Pulmonary rehabilitation
What is an exacerbation of bronchiecstasis?
Worsening of 3 or more important symptoms for at least 48 hours
What causes an exacerbation of bronchiecstasis?
Current infection
How is an exacerbation of bronchiecstasis treated?
Antibiotics
longer duration
