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Review
. 2021 Nov;21(6):e571-e577.
doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0651.

Diagnosis and management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Laura Macfarlane  1 , Kartik Kumar  2 , Thomas Scoones  3 , Andrew Jones  4 , Michael R Loebinger  5 , Robert Lord  4
Affiliations
Review

Diagnosis and management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Laura Macfarlane et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous and increasingly prevalent chronic pulmonary disease that is associated with significant morbidity. In this review, we outline how patients with bronchiectasis may present clinically and describe an approach to its diagnosis, including how to identify an underlying aetiology. We discuss the important considerations when treating either acute exacerbations or stable disease and provide an overview of the role of long-term antimicrobials, airway clearance methods and other supportive management.

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; airway clearance; bronchiectasis; macrolides; non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Cole's vicious cycle hypothesis.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Computed tomography demonstrating bronchial wall thickening (green arrow), airway larger than the adjacent pulmonary artery branch (yellow arrow) and mucus plugging (blue arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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