Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis

Bronchiectasis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Bronchiectasis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis
CDC on Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis
Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Bronchiectasis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Bronchiectasis differential diagnosis

Bronchiectasis Differential Diagnosis

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Diminished breath sounds in COPD are not found in bronchiectasis
• Chest CT will be normal or show emphysema is patients with COPD

• Asthma

• Crackles found in bronchiectasis will not be found in asthma
• Airflow obstruction is reversible in asthma

• Pneumonia

• Patients with pneumonia will express symptoms for a short duration of 7-10 days, whereas patients with bronchiectasis express symptoms for years
• Patients with pneumonia have bronchial breath sounds on auscultation
• Consolidation is seen on chest x-ray and chest CT in patients with pneumonia

• Tuberculosis

• Chronic Sinusitis

• Crackles found in bronchiectasis will not be found in chronic sinusitis
• Chest x-ray and chest CT are normal in chronic sinusitis

• Cough due to gastrointestinal reflux
• Upper airway cough syndrome (postnasal drip)
• Cancer of the lung
• Inhaled foreign body

Features that may suggest bronchiectasis in a patient presenting with chronic respiratory symptoms

• Digital clubbing
• Lack of a significant smoking history if you suspect a patient has COPD
• History of recurrent and/or severe pneumonia or tuberculosis
• Presence of Aspergillus, atypical/nontuberculous mycobacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae in the sputum
• If the childhood is associated with significant environmental and social disadvantage