Overview
Bronchiectasis means abnormal dilatation of the bronchi .Chronic suppurative airway infection with sputum production ,progressive scarring and lung damage occur ,whatever the cause is .
Symptoms
Chronic persistent cough with purulent sputum
Pleuritic pain
Haemoptysis
Infective exacerbation with fever ,malaise , anorexia
Halitosis
Weight loss
Anorexia
Shortness of breath on exertion
General weakness
Causes
Cystic fibrosis
Ciliary dysfunction syndrome ( primary ciliary dyskinesia , karatagner’s syndrome )
Primary hypogammaglobulinaemia
Severe infections in infancy
Primary tuberculosis
Inhaled foreign body
Suppurative pneumonia
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis complicating asthma
Bronchial tumours
Complications
Respiratory failure
Massive hemoptysis
Atelectasis
