Bronchiectasis

Question 1

What is bronchiectasis?

Answer 1

Chronic dilatation of one or more bronchi which results in poor mucus clearance

Question 2

What is the gold standard investigation for bronchiectasis?

Answer 2

HRCT

Question 3

What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?

Answer 3

Chronic productive cough
Dyspnoea on exertion
Intermittent haemoptysis

Question 4

What can cause bronchiectasis?

Answer 4

Post infective

• whooping cough
• TB

Immune deficiency

Mucociliary clearance defects
- cystic fibrosis

Obstruction

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Question 5

What are common organisms affecting those with bronchiectasis?

Answer 5

Haemophilus influenzae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Moraxella catarrhalis

Question 6

How is bronchiectasis managed?

Answer 6

Chest physio
Sputum sampling
Management plan for infections
Flu vaccine

Question 7

How do you define an exacerbation in bronchiectasis?

Answer 7

A person with bronchiectasis with a deterioration in 3 or more key symptoms for at least 48 hours

Key symptoms

• cough
• sputum volume
• sputum purulence
• breathlessness
• fatigue
• haemoptysis