Bronchiectasis Flashcards
Whats the most common cause of bronchiectasis?
post-infection: e.g. measles, pertussis, bronchiolitis, granulomatous disease, pneumonia, TB, HIV
what does ABPA stand for?
allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Bronchiectasis is chronic/acute infection of what?
chronic infection
of bronchi and bronchioles
How do the airways look macroscopically?
cylindrical, varicose, cystic
permanent dilatation + thickening of these airways
what are the main infecting organisms?
H. influenzae, strep pneumoniae, staph aureus, pseudomonas aureginosa
symptoms
persistent cough, copious pussy sputum, haemoptysis, recurrent exacerbations w long recover time - chest pain
signs
finger clubbing, wheeze, coarse inspiratory crepitations
complications
pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, haemoptysis, cerebral abcès, amyloidosis
gold standard test and what does it show?
HRCT: for extent + distribution of disease
diameter of airway > that of blood vessel
what would spirometry show?
obstructive pattern
what could CXR show?
cystic shadows, thickened bronchial walls (tramline + ring shadows)
Treatment? (pass b)
postural drainage: BD, chest physio
antibiotics
steroids: e.g. pred for ABPA
surgery: for severe haemoptysis
bronchodilators:
