Bronchietasis Flashcards
1
Q
What is bronchietasis?
A
Persistent infection of airways leading to inflammatory destruction of airway walls and irreversible dilation of airways.
2
Q
What are the common causes of bronchietasis?
A
- Obstruction-tumor, foreign body, thick mucus
- Post-infection-TB, measles, pertussis
- Impaired defences-Cystic Fibrosis, ciliary dysfunction
3
Q
What are the symptoms of bronchietasis?
A
- Chronic cough >3wks
- Purulent sputum
4
Q
What are physical exam findings of bronchietasis?
A
Wheezes
Crackles
Clubbing
5
Q
In a patient with suspected bronchietasis, what investigations would you do?
A
- PFT for obstruction
- CXR - tram tracking-parallel lines radiating from hilum
- Spiral CT = Gold standard
6
Q
How would you treat your patient with bronchietasis?
A
- Vaccinations-influenza/pneumonia
- ABx-Azithro, clarithro (macrolides)
- Oral Corticosteroids
- Chest physio
