Bronchiectasis Flashcards
1
Q
define bronchiectasis ?
A
- lung airway disease characterised by permanent bronchial dilation, impaired mucocillary clearance, and frequent bacterial infections secondary to chronic infection or inflammation.
2
Q
what are the most common organisms that cause a flare of bronchiectasdis?
A
- Haemophilus Influenzae
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
3
Q
what is the aetiology of bronchiectasis?
A
- Chronic lung inflammation leads to fibrosis and permanent dilation of the bronchi
- this leads to pooling of mucus which promotes more infections
4
Q
what are the major causes of bronchiectasis?
A
- Idiopathic
- Post-infectious
- obstrcution of bronchi
- GORD
- inflammatory disorders
- immune deficiency
- ABPA
- host defence defects
5
Q
what is the epidemiology of bronchiectasis?
A
- arises in childhood
- incidence has decreased with antibiotics
- 1/1000
6
Q
what are the presenting symptoms of bronchiectasis?
A
- Productive cough with purulent sputum
- intermittent haemoptysis
- breathlessness
- systems occur after a respiratory disease
7
Q
what are the signs of bronchiectasis on examination?
A
- Clubbing
- creps
- wheeze
8
Q
what investigations are needed for bronchiectasis?
A
- sputum cultures
- CXR
- high resolution CT
- bronchography
- spirometry
9
Q
management plan for bronchiectasis?
A
- Physiotherapy
- treating exacerbations with antibiotics
- prophylactic antibiotics
- inhaled corticosteroids
- bronchodilators
- maintain hydration and flu vaccine
- surgical
10
Q
what are the complications of bronchiectasis?
A
- Life-threatening haemoptysis
- persistant infections
- empyema
- respiratory failure
- cor pulmonale
- multi-organ abscesses
11
Q
what is the prognosis for patients with bronchiectasis?
A
- patients have symptoms for 10 years
