What tests can detect bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis has congenital factors and acquired triggers; for example, immunodeficiency is a familial hereditary factor, while acquired lung diseases persist relentlessly, and the two mutually reinforce each other in the formation of bronchiectasis. In terms of symptoms, if an infectious lung disease shows hypoxemia, one should be alert to bronchiectasis. The specific manifestations of hypoxemia are: during infection, white blood cells rise markedly, with a left shift, and foul-smelling sputum is coughed up, etc.

Bronchoscopy

If sputum is cultured, pathogenic bacteria can be seen, and serum immunoglobulin testing (B lymphocytes), lymphocyte count and skin tests (T lymphocytes), white blood cell count and classification (phagocytes), and complement component testing (CH50, C3, C4) can also be performed. In routine examinations, chest X-ray, lung function tests such as vital capacity, combined with CT and bronchoscopy, can determine whether it is bronchiectasis.

In lung function tests such as vital capacity, obstructive ventilatory impairment such as decreased FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEF can be found, that is, progressive lung function damage. If hypoxemia is present, it is late-stage bronchiectasis. On chest X-ray, about 10% show no abnormal findings, or only increased lung markings. If it is cystic bronchiectasis, the coarse and disordered lung markings on the chest film will show multiple irregular honeycomb-like shadows, and round, oval translucent areas or small air-fluid levels may also appear near the lung base and hilum.

Bronchiectasis

If it is cylindrical bronchiectasis, the chest film often shows two parallel linear shadows within increased lung markings, which are centrally translucent tubular shadows, conventionally called "tram-track sign." Chest CT examination can further confirm cystic bronchiectasis, and is affected by infection and the presence or absence of mucus in the lumen. Bronchoscopy, i.e. fiberoptic bronchoscopy, can determine the site of dilation, bleeding, and obstruction, and can perform local lavage, obtaining lavage fluid for Gram staining smear or bacterial culture, which is helpful for both diagnosis and treatment.

If you have questions or need help, you can call 01062170649 13269852331