Bronchiectasis

Question 1

What is Bronchiectasis?

Answer 1

Bronchiectasis is the permanent abnormal dilation in one or more of the lungs Bronchi. Extra mucus is secreted and pools in the areas of the airways that are dilated making the person more prone to infection.

It has similar symptoms to COPD but does not always show as airflow obstruction. It does not therefore come under the term COPD

Question 2

What is the pathology of Bronchiectasis?

Answer 2

1. Impaired mucocilliary clearance leads to the accumulation of secretions
2. Accumulation of secretions leads to infection by bacteria
3. Infection by bacteria leads to increase mucus production increase impaired cilliary performance increase inflammatory response
4. Excessive inflammatory response causes tissue damage
5. Tissue damage eventually produces dilated bronchi including loss of cilliated epithelium & impaired mucocilliary clearance

Question 3

What are the causes of bronchiectasis?

Answer 3

Infection (usually in childhood),
Cystic Fibrosis,
Immunodeficiency,
Cillary dysfunction,
Inflammatory conditions,
Aspiration/Obstruction

Question 4

What are the different types of bronchiectasis?

Answer 4

1. Saccular (occurs in large bronchi that become large & balloon-like)
2. Cylindrical (involves medium sized bronchi which usually are symmetrically dilated)
3. Varicose (constrictions & dilations deform the bronchi)