Bronchiectasis

Question 1

What is bronchiectasis?

what is the most common cause in the UK

Answer 1

• permanent dilation of the bronchial tree
• obstructive condition
• secondary to chronic inflammation or infection
• in the UK most common cause is CF

Question 2

What are causes of bronchiectasis ?

Answer 2

1. post-infective: tuberculosis, measles, pertussis, 2.pneumonia
2. cystic fibrosis
3. bronchial obstruction e.g. lung cancer/foreign body
4. immune deficiency: selective IgA, hypogammaglobulinaemia
5. allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
6. ciliary dyskinetic syndromes: Kartagener’s syndrome, Young’s syndrome

Question 3

What is the management of bronchiectasis?

Answer 3

1. assess for treatable causes e.g immune deficiency
2. physical training (e.g. inspiratory muscle training) (non CF)
3. drainage
4. abx for exacerbations and long term in severe cases
5. bronchodilators in selected cases
6. immunisation
7. surgery if localised disease