Bronchiectasis can be divided into two main categories: congenital and acquired. The first is congenital bronchiectasis, which is relatively rare and may result from defects in bronchial cartilage development. The second is acquired bronchiectasis, commonly seen after conditions such as measles, whooping cough, bronchiolitis, severe pneumonia, and asthma, presenting as bilateral diffuse bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis caused by foreign body obstruction, compression from bronchial lymph nodes or subcutaneous nodes, or tumors is usually localized.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

(1) Medical history: Chronic cough, large amounts of purulent sputum, possible recurrent hemoptysis, with obvious sputum production in the morning and evening or when changing positions.

(2) Signs: Early-stage or mild cases may show no obvious signs. In severe cases or with secondary infection, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain may occur, along with gradual development of weight loss, barrel chest, clubbing of fingers (toes), and dry or wet rales in the lungs.

X-ray features:

Increased lung markings, curly hair-like shadows, or tram-track sign of bronchi.

Bronchography or lung CT reveals dilated cylindrical, cystic, or cystic-cylindrical bronchial trees. Bronchography is reliable but carries certain risks. It may be performed before surgery when necessary to further confirm the extent and severity of the lesions.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

﹝Treatment﹞

(1) Postural drainage: Perform postural drainage according to the location of the lesion, combined with physical therapy, aerosol inhalation, back patting to expel phlegm, and taking phlegm-dispelling medication. (2) Anti-infection: Use antibiotics for 2-3 weeks based on the pathogen as much as possible, or perform local lavage once every 1-2 weeks. (3) Immunomodulatory therapy: Suitable for patients with compromised immune function. (4) Surgery: Surgical resection is indicated for severe cases where the lesion is confined to one side or one lobe of the lung and the infection is difficult to control.