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Sections Bronchiectasis
- Overview
- Presentation
- DDx
- Workup
- Approach Considerations
- Sputum Analysis
- CBC Count
- Quantitative Immunoglobulin levels
- Quantitative Alpha1-Antitrypsin Levels
- Pilocarpine Iontophoresis (Sweat Test)
- Aspergillus Precipitins and Serum Total IgE levels
- Autoimmune Screening Tests
- Computed Tomography
- Radiography
- Pulmonary Function Tests
- Electron Microscopic Examination
- Bronchography
- Bronchoscopy
- Show All
- Treatment
- Guidelines
- Medication
- Questions & Answers
- Media Gallery
- References
Diagnostic Considerations
Investigate the possible etiology of a patient's bronchiectasis. Specifically, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, atypical mycobacterial infections, immunodeficiency states, and autoimmune diseases are causes of bronchiectasis that may be treated effectively once diagnosed.
Cystic fibrosis (CF), Young syndrome, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency require aggressive treatment, as well as genetic counseling for patients and their families. Likewise, congenital abnormalities should be identified as such for the patient and their family.
Foreign body obstruction needs to be excluded as an etiology in all patients.
Differential Diagnoses
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Cylindrical bronchiectasis with signet-ring appearance. Note that the luminal airway diameter is greater than the diameter of the adjacent vessel.
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Cystic and cylindrical bronchiectasis of the right lower lobe on a posterior-anterior chest radiograph.
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Varicose bronchiectasis with alternating areas of bronchial dilatation and constriction.
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This CT scan depicts areas of both cystic bronchiectasis and varicose bronchiectasis.
Tables
Ethan E Emmons, MD Physician
Ethan E Emmons, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.
Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP Associate Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Pulmonary Medicine General Practice Unit (F2), Senior Staff and Attending Physician, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital
Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Disclosure: Received research grant from: Sanofi Pharmaceutical.
Zab Mosenifar, MD, FACP, FCCP Geri and Richard Brawerman Chair in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Professor and Executive Vice Chairman, Department of Medicine, Medical Director, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine
Zab Mosenifar, MD, FACP, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Thoracic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Helen M Hollingsworth, MD Director, Adult Asthma and Allergy Services, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Boston Medical Center
Helen M Hollingsworth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Massachusetts Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
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Sections Bronchiectasis
- Overview
- Presentation
- DDx
- Workup
- Approach Considerations
- Sputum Analysis
- CBC Count
- Quantitative Immunoglobulin levels
- Quantitative Alpha1-Antitrypsin Levels
- Pilocarpine Iontophoresis (Sweat Test)
- Aspergillus Precipitins and Serum Total IgE levels
- Autoimmune Screening Tests
- Computed Tomography
- Radiography
- Pulmonary Function Tests
- Electron Microscopic Examination
- Bronchography
- Bronchoscopy
- Show All
- Treatment
- Guidelines
- Medication
- Questions & Answers
- Media Gallery
- References
