Bronchiectasis

This is the permanent increase in the bronchial tubes. This expansion can be regular or irregular. She constantly accompanies hypersecretion which is often purulent.

This expansion can be diffuse or localized:

- The diffuse bronchiectasis may be congenital or secondary to repeated lung infections that affect the texture,

- The localized bronchiectasis are secondary to an inflammatory process or a circulatory disorder, sometimes a disorder of ventilation.

SYMPTOMS

This is an intractable cough associated with sputum very important, especially morning. Spitting blood are not uncommon.

Some additional tests will clarify the diagnosis:

- X-ray that shows multiple rounded brightness, rimmed with a thin dense peripheral border in both lung fields, but predominant in peri-hilar

these images are associated with irregular tubular brightness.

- MRI confirms many moniliform expansion and saccular cysts in both lung fields.

- Bronchoscopy (bronchial endoscopy See ENDOSCOPY.)

- Bronchography (radiographic examination after opacification with lipiodol, which is iodized oil)

These tests allow you to specify the location of expansion and morphology (CES EXPANSION BE PARALLEL, ampullary, saccular, moniliform, THAT IS \ "ROSARY IN \").

CAUSES

For diffuse bronchial dilatation in children, look for:

- Congenital cause especially if other defects exist

- A CYSTIC FIBROSIS,

- A cause acquired: a severe measles or whooping cough, recurrent infections of the airways.

Adult, look for:

- A former asthma

- Chronic bronchitis.

The localized bronchiectasis are often secondary to:

- A TUBERCULOSIS

- A Bronchitis, Chronic

- A ABSCESS LUNG