Bronchiectasis is characterized by abnormal and irreversible dilation of the bronchi due to inflammatory damage, caused primarily by endobronchial obstruction and infections. Contributing factors include hereditary conditions, tumors, airway obstruction, and complications from other respiratory disorders. Clinical features comprise a persistent productive cough, thick sputum, and airway obstruction, with treatment focusing on antimicrobial therapy, hygiene maintenance, and clearing secretions.

1. PATHOLOGY OF
BRONCHIECTASIS
By: Ms. Saili Gaude
Principal
Shivam College of Nursing

2. DEFINITION
◦ Abnormal and irreversible
dilatation of the bronchi and
bronchioles developing secondary
to inflammatory weakening of the
bronchial wall.

3. ETIOPATHOGENESIS
◦ 2 basic mechanisms
ENDOBRONCHIAL
OBSTRUCTION
INFECTION

4. 1) ENDOBRONCHIAL OBSTRUCTION
◦ Obstruction of the bronchi by foreign body, tumors, enlarged ,lymph nodes
Resorption of air distal to obstruction
Atelectasis
Retention of secretions

5. 2) INFECTION
Secondary to obstruction
Growth of micro organisms
Infection

6. ETIOLOGY
◦ Both mechanisms are widely seen in various clinical settings
1) HEREDITY
2) OBSTRUCTION
3) SECONDARY COMPLICATION

7. 1) HEREDITY
◦ 1) Congenital bronchiectasis – caused by developmental defect of the bronchi
◦ 2) Cystic fibrosis – defect of the exocrine glands causing increased mucus secretion leading to
bronchiectasis
◦ 3) Hereditary Immune Deficiency diseases- high incidence of bronchiectasis
◦ 4) Immotile cilia syndrome- ultrastructural changes in the cilia leads to ineffective airway
clearance
◦ 5) Atopic bronchial asthma – leads to bronchiectasis in some cases

8. 2) OBSTRUCTION
◦ 1) Foreign body obstruction
◦ 2) Endotracheal Tumors
◦ 3) Compression by enlarged lymphnodes
◦ 4) Post inflammatory scarring of bronchi

9. 3) SECONDARY COMPLICATIONS
◦ Bronchiectasis may occur as a result of the complication of many respiratory disorders.
◦ Pneumonia
◦ Tuberculosis
◦ Bronchitis

10. PATHOGENESIS
Inflammation
Impaired
mucociliary
clearance
Bronchial
obstruction
Inflammation
and bronchial
damage
Bronchiectasis

11. MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES
◦ GROSS MORPHOLOGY
◦ Lungs maybe involved segmentally or diffusely
◦ Bilateral involvement of lower lobes
◦ Left airway more involved than right
◦ Pleura is fibrotic
◦ Pleura is thick with adhesions to the chest wall
◦ Cut section of affected lobes shows honey combed appearance
◦ Bronchi are very dilated near the pleura
◦ Thickened bronchial wall.
◦ Bronchia tube is filled with mucus

12. ◦ BRONCHOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE AIRWAYS
◦ 1) CYLINDRICAL – tube like bronchial dilation
◦ 2) FUSIFORM- spindle shaped bronchial dilation
◦ 3) SACCULAR- rounded sac like bronchial dilation
◦ 4) VARICOSE- irregular shaped bronchial dilation

13. ◦ MICROSCOPIC FEATURES
◦ Bronchial epithelium – normal, ulcerated or metaplastic
◦ Bronchial wall- infiltrated with inflammatory cells
◦ Destruction of normal muscle and elastic tissues
◦ Replaced by fibrosis
◦ Lung parenchyma shows fibrosis
◦ Interstitial pneumonia
◦ Adherent pleura with fibrous tissue

15. CLINICAL FEATURES
◦ Persistent productive cough
◦ Thick tenacious sputum
◦ Clubbing of fingers
◦ Crackles
◦ Wheezing
◦ Airway obstruction

16. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
◦ Clinical history
◦ Radiographic features
◦ X ray
◦ HRCT thorax
◦ Pulmonary function test- reveals obstructive pattern , reduced FEV1 and FVC
◦ Cough test – ability , strength and effectiveness of coughing checked
◦ Bronchial biopsy
◦ Sputum culture and sensitivity
◦ Alpha anti trypsin levels

17. TREATMENT
◦ Antimicrobial therapy
◦ Maintenance of hygiene
◦ Clearance of secretions by postural drainage
◦ Mucolytics
◦ Anti inflammatory therapy
◦ Bronchodilation – corticosteroids and bronchodilators
◦ Resection of affected lung