Bronchiectasis Flashcards
What is the common clinical presentation of bronchiectasis
Commonly seen in older adults where they have a chronic cough and recurrently lung infections
Is bronchiectasis Reversible
No it is irreversible
What do Lung With Bronchiectasis Look Like
- Lungs with bronchiectasis usually will have an excess of puss and mucous, the bronchi and bronchioles will have a permanent dilation and thinning of the airways
- The lungs will retain inflammatory secretions and microbes that will damage the airway and cause recurrent infections and airway wall degradation
What Part of the Lungs is Bronchiectasis Commonly Seen In
- One or both lungs may be involved
- Found generally in the lower lobes
- Commonly limited to lobe or segment
How is Bronchiectasis Classified
- Bronchiectasis is normally based on anatomical pattern
- Remember that the bacterial infection usually affects the segmental and subsegmental bronchi
Why are distal areas obstructed?
It is due to secretions, inflammation and fibrosis.
Definition of Bronchiectasis
- Bronchiectasis is a chronic disease characterized of the bronchi and bronchioles characterized by the abnormal, irreversible dilation, and destruction of their walls
- It basically makes it difficult to clear mucous from your lungs due to damaged airways
Etiology of Bronchiectasis
May be acquired or congenital
Acquired Bronchiectasis-Pulmonary Infection
Significant lung infection in childhood can cause anatomical alterations in the developing lungs which lead to more infections and ultimately bronchiectasis
Acquired Bronchiectasis-Bronchial Obstruction
Caused by a tumor enlarged by lymph nodes leading to impaired mucocilary clearance and bacterial infection ultimately leading to bronchiectasis distal to the obstruction
Acquired Bronchiectasis-Pulmonary Tuberclosis
Inflammatory changes and bronchial wall destruction will lead to bronchiectasis as a secondary complication
Types of Acquired Bronchiectasis
Pulmonary infection
Bronchial obstruction
Pulmonary Tuberclosis
Types of Congenital Bronchiectasis-Cystic Fibrosis
Abundance of thick, stagnant mucus
Impaired mucocillary clearance
Bronchial obstruction
Necrotizing inflammation and infection
All the above lead to secondary bronchiectasis
Types of Congenital Bronchiectasis-Hypogammaglobulinemia
Inherited/acquired immune deficiency disorders
High risk for respiratory infections
Types of Congenital Bronchiectasis-Kartageners Syndrome
Accounts for 20% of congenital bronchiectasis
Triad consisting of bronchiectasis, dextrocardia (hart on right side of the body) and paranasal sinusitis
Types of Congenital Bronchiectasis
Kartageners Syndrome
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Cystic fibrosis
Pathophysiology of Bronchiectasis
- Bronchial Wall Destruction
- Impaired Mucocillary Mechanism
- Copious Amount of Foul Smelling Sputums
- Distal Bronchioles Obstruction with Secretions
- Hyperinflation of Distal Aveoli/Atelectasis Consolidation and Parachymal Fibrosis
- V/Q Mismatch, Hypoxemia, Increased WOB, Cor Pulmonale
Cylindrical Classification
Regular pattern with the airway wall of the bronchioles uniformly dilated in a cylinderical shape
Occurs for 6-10 generations and appears to end squarely on bronchogram due to mucus obstruction
Increased bronchial markings
Emphysema
Varicose Classification
- Irregular pattern with areas of constriction and dilation
- Distorted bulbous shape
- Bronchi dilated and constricted in irregular pattern
- End in distorted bulbous shape
Cystic/Saccular Classification
A progressive increase in diameter with distal enlargement of airways resulting in sac like structures in lung parenchyma
Causes most damage to tracheobronchial tree
Loss of cartilage, elastic tissue and smooth muscle with fibrous tissue forming bronchial walls
Fibrotic markings
Atelectasis
Emphysema
Hgh Resolution CT Scan
Has known mostly replaced bronchoscopy for classifying bronchiectasis
Severe bronchiectasis is associated with:
i. Vesicular breath sounds
ii. Cor pulmonale
iii. JVD
iv. Polycythemia
ii. Cor pulmonale
iii. JVD
iv. Polycythemia
The clinical manifestations are a result from the pathophysiologic mechanisms caused (or activated) by
Atelectasis
Consolidation
Excessive Bronchial Secretions
Clinical Manifestations
Cough, sputum production, and hemoptysis
A chronic cough will produce large quantities of foul smelling sputum which is a hallmark of bronchiectasis
Sputum Examination
Streptococcus pneumonia
Haemophilus influenza
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Anaerobic organisms
General Treatment Includes
Controlling Pulmonary Infections
Controlling Airway Secretions
Preventing Complications
Other Treatment Options Include
Bronchopulmonary Hygiene
Supplemental Oxygen Therapy
Mechanical Ventilation
Surgical Resection of Localized Area
Lung Transplant
Respiratory Care Treatment Protocols
Oxygen therapy protocol
Bronchopulmonary hygiene therapy protocol
Hyperinflation therapy protocol
Aerosolized medication protocol
Mechanical ventilation protocol
Medications
Antibiotics
Mucolytic agents
Bronchodilators/anticholinergics/ xanthines
Expectorants
What are some signs, symptoms, and observations of bronchiectasis?
A continuous cough with a large amount of sputum, recurrent local pneumonia, occasional hemoptysis, and increasing dyspnea.
What is the latest method used to diagnose bronchiectasis?
CT scan and HRCT.
What happens in the lungs of patients suffering from bronchiectasis?
Bronchial walls are destroyed, mucosa atrophied and cilia destroyed. The elastic area is filled with pus. Distal areas become obstructed.
What are some problems associated with bronchiectasis?
Clubbing, atelectasis, consolidation, increased thickness of the A-C membrane, bronchospasm, and excessive bronchial secretions
How does the pulmonary function test of a patient with bronchiectasis show?
It can show obstructive patterns. Remember “CBABE”. Bronchiectasis is a part of CBABE.
What does the ABG show on a patient with mild to moderate bronchiectasis?
The ABG will show respiratory alkalosis with hypoxemia
What does the ABG show on a patient with severe bronchiectasis?
It will show compensated respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia.
What are some common infections associated with bronchiectasis?
Haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumonia, moraxella catarrhalis, and pseudomonas in cystic fibrosis patients.
What are some available management and treatment of bronchiectasis?
Removing secretions and patients’ infections, P&PD, bronchial hygiene, mucomyst, bronchodilators, antibiotics, oxygen, and surgical removal.
What is the prognosis of bronchiectasis?
The prognosis is extremely variable and depends on the extent of the damage. Good management is very important.
What will be the result of a high power bronchiectasis histology slide?
The airway wall will be full of neutrophils and there will be puss in the lumen that is mostly neutrophils too.
What ethnicity does bronchiectasis common in?
Bronchiectasis is more common in Asians and Pacific Islanders, and less common in African Americans
What age does bronchiectasis more common in older patients?
Bronchiectasis is more common among people ages 50-70s.
Who is most likely to have this disease?
Bronchiectasis is more common in women.
What other lung condition is bronchiectasis often misdiagnosed as?
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic cough.
How do you diagnose bronchiectasis?
CT scan and a history of a chronic cough with sputum.
How does cystic fibrosis cause bronchiectasis?
Cystic fibrosis has a defective gene called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, that causes thick sticky mucous which clogs the lungs leading to recurrent infections and damage to airways. The CFTR defect can be found at chromosome 7q31. Cystic fibrosis has allelic heterogeneity.
What is the laboratory results of hemoglobin and hematocrit for patients with bronchiectasis?
The results will show increased values.
The alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency can lead to focal bronchiectasis. How will the left lung pocket looks like after a patient with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency 1 and 2 undergoes a CT scan?
The left lung’s pocket will show an abnormally large bronchi branch.
Tuberculosis causes bronchiectasis as it damages the airways. How will the CT scan look like for a patient post-tuberculosis bronchiectasis?
The lower left lung will show evidence of a very local damage. It is important to note that it is just a coincidence that all of these occurrences happen in the lower left lung.
What is a primary ciliary dyskinesia?
Primary ciliary dyskinesia is an autosomal recessive disorder. The cilia, the tiny hair-like structures that line the airways, in the primary ciliary dyskinesia are defective. This defect causes the bacteria to develop in the lungs and leads to recurrent infections and other disorders.
What are the complications of primary ciliary dyskinesia?
Neonatal respiratory distress, daily wet cough from birth, chronic airway disease with age-dependent bronchiectasis, recurrent otitis media and reduced fertility.