Bronchiectasis

Question 1

what is the definition of bronchiectasis

Answer 1

chronic infection of the bronchi and bronchioles leading to permanent dilatation of the airways

Question 2

what organisms are involved

Answer 2

H influenza, strep pneumonia, staph aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 3

causes

Answer 3

congenital, post infection

Question 4

what are the congenital causes

Answer 4

CF, Youngs syndrome, primary ciliary dyskinesia, Kartageners syndrome

Question 5

what infections can cause this

Answer 5

measles, pertussis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, TB, HIV

Question 6

other causes of bronchi

Answer 6

bronchial obstruction (foreign body, tumour), rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, idiopathic, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Question 7

symptoms

Answer 7

persistent cough, purulent sputum, haemoptysis

Question 8

signs

Answer 8

clubbing, coarse inspiratory crepitations, wheeze

Question 9

complications

Answer 9

pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, haemoptysis, cerebral abscess, amyloidosis

Question 10

tests

Answer 10

sputum culture; CXR- cystic shadows, thickened bronchial walls; spirometry- obstructive, assess reversibility; bronchoscopy- locate site haemoptysis, exclude obstruction; CF sweat tests; aspergillus test

Question 11

management

Answer 11

postural drainage, physio- sputum expectoration, antibiotics- ciproflaxcin or IV ; bronchodilators; corticosteroids; surgery