Respiratory

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is permanent bronchial dilatation with impaired mucus clearance, recurrent infection and inflammation; high-quality care combines CT confirmation, aetiology work-up, physiotherapist-led airway clearance, culture-directed antibiotics and specialist prevention of exacerbations.

Definition

Bronchiectasis is permanent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi with impaired mucociliary clearance, chronic airway inflammation and recurrent infection.

First principles

The airway wall is structurally damaged

Bronchiectasis is permanent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi after infection, inflammation, impaired clearance or an underlying systemic disorder. Unlike isolated bronchospasm, the airway architecture and mucociliary function are altered, so the established dilatation is not reversed by a bronchodilator.

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