Clinical features of bronchiectasis

Question 1

what is bronchiectasis

Answer 1

obstructive lung disease, irreversible, chronic dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles

Question 2

what is a characteristic feature of bronchiectasis

Answer 2

dilatation of airways

Question 3

what two things always occur in bronchiectasis

Answer 3

infection and obstruction

Question 4

what part of the lung is more commonly affected

Answer 4

the lower lobe

Question 5

is the infection focal or diffuse

Answer 5

can be either

Question 6

symptoms of bronchiectasis

Answer 6

persistant cough, copious purulent sputum, copious amounts of pus, haemoptysis

Question 7

what are the signs of bronchiectasis

Answer 7

nail clubbing, wheeze, crackles

Question 8

what are the complications of bronchiectasis

Answer 8

• recurrent infection
• life threatening haemoptysis
• cor pulmonale: damaged lung-poor alveolar ventilation-pulmonary vasoconstriction-pulmonary artery hypertension-right ventricular hypertrophy-right side heart failure- increased JVP- ankle oedema
• empyema leaading to pyemia - travel to brain - brain abscess
• chronic inflammation - 2nd amyloidosis