Bronchiectasis:

Question 1

What is bronchiectasis?

Answer 1

An abnormal and permanent dilatation of the large and medium airways leading to impaired removal of bronchial secretions which leads to chronic secondary infections and bronchial inflammation.

Question 2

What are the congenital causes for bronchiectasis?

Answer 2

Cystic Fibrosis
Youngs Syndrome
Primary Ciliary Dyskenisia

Question 3

What are the types of infection that lead to bronchiectasis?

Answer 3

Measles
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Tuberculosis
HIV
Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

Question 4

What other causes are there for bronchiectasis?

Answer 4

A bronchiol obstruction e.g. tumour or foreign body
Idiopathic
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis

Question 5

What are the main bacteria behind bronchiectasis?

Answer 5

Haemophilus Influenzae
Strep. Pneumoniae
Staph. Aureus
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis?

Answer 6

Persistant Cough
Copious Purulent Sputum
Intermittent Haemoptysis
Wheeze
Coarse Inspiratory Crackles
Fatigue/Malaise/Weight Loss
Clubbing

Question 7

Waht are the common complications of bronchiectasis?

Answer 7

Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
Pleural Effusion
Haemoptysis

Question 8

How do we investigate Bronchiectasis?

Answer 8

Sputum Culture
CXR - Cystic Shadows & Thickened Bronchial Walls
Spirometry - Can show obstructive pattern
Serum Immunoglobulins
Bronchoscopy - Locate source of haemoptysis, rule our obstruction and obtain sputum sample

Question 9

How do we treat Bronchiectasis?

Answer 9

Postural Drainage
Chest Physiotherapy
Bronchodilators
Corticosteroids if ABPA
Surgery if v. localised or severe haemoptysis
Antibiotics