What does bronchial dilatation mean

Bronchiectasis is a symptom of continuous expansion of the bronchi caused by diffuse purulent inflammation of the bronchi and surrounding lung tissues, which leads to deformation of the bronchi. Many patients also have a history of measles, whooping cough, etc. The common causes are some infections or congenital genetic problems.

Bronchiectasis is caused by chronic suppurative inflammation and fibrosis of the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue, which destroys the muscle and elastic tissue of the bronchial wall, leading to bronchial deformation and persistent dilatation. Typical symptoms include chronic cough, coughing up large amounts of purulent sputum, and repeated hemoptysis. The main causes of the disease are bronchial infection, obstruction and traction, and some are congenital genetic factors. Most patients have a history of measles, whooping cough or bronchopneumonia.

1. Infection

Infection is the most common cause of bronchiectasis. Pulmonary tuberculosis, whooping cough, and adenovirus pneumonia may cause bronchiectasis. Aspergillus and mycoplasma, pathogens that can cause chronic necrotizing bronchopneumonia, can also cause bronchiectasis.

2. Congenital and hereditary diseases

The most common inherited disease that causes bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis. In addition, Marfan syndrome may also cause bronchiectasis, probably due to poor development of connective tissue.

3. Abnormal cilia

Abnormalities in ciliary structure and function are important causes of bronchiectasis. Kartagener syndrome presents with a triad of situs inversus, sinusitis, and bronchiectasis. This disease is accompanied by abnormal ciliary function.

4. Immunodeficiency

Deficiency of one or more immunoglobulins can cause bronchiectasis. Deficiency of one or more IgG subclasses is usually accompanied by recurrent respiratory infections, which can cause bronchiectasis. IgA deficiency is not often associated with bronchiectasis, but it can coexist with IgG2 subclass deficiency, causing recurrent suppurative lung infections and bronchiectasis.

5. Foreign body inhalation

The long-term presence of foreign bodies in the airways can lead to chronic obstruction and inflammation, followed by bronchiectasis.