Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Hi everyone - an in general response to some questions how does bronch start etc etc that recur, below is an extract from a website http://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pedtext/s08c05.html (bolding mine). Why pneumonia – it is a around! Will have to do more research... “Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease whose pathophysiology is poorly understood. It has traditionally been considered " permanent and irreversible " (1). Traction of airways from collapsed surrounding structures, bulging of the airways from retained secretions, weakening of the bronchial wall by infection or inflammation, or combinations of these factors are all suggested mechanisms (2). Single or repeated acute infections, chronic obstruction from congenital anomalies, tumors, cystic fibrosis, chronic asthma or immunodeficiencies may also predispose a patient to developing the disease (3). In addition, repeated airway injury from chronic aspiration, with or without gastroesophageal reflux (GER), has been implicated as another etiologic possibility (4,5). Bronchiectasis has been termed an " orphan disease " .... The term " bronchiectasis " has traditionally implied permanent, irreversible alteration in the anatomy of the airways (1,10). ... classified as cylindrical, varicose or saccular (1,10). The diagnosis should be considered in children with daily, productive cough of longer than 6 weeks duration, hemoptysis, ... isolated, persistent crackles on auscultation. (6,10). Traditionally, the diagnosis was made by bronchography, as the plain chest radiograph is relatively insensitive for the detection of bronchiectasis (10). today, diagnosis is made by CT scan. ... The combination of small airway obstruction coupled with chronic inflammation of the bronchial wall is most likely the mechanism in the development of bronchiectasis. The inflammation usually results from acute or chronic bacterial infection or " colonization " of the airways (7,10,13). The majority of cases of bronchiectasis follow severe pneumonia or other lower respiratory infection (10). In a series by Field fifty years ago, 24% of cases followed pneumonia, and 33% followed some combination of pertussis and/or measles infections (6).” Cheers all, Joy -- -- " Wealth is nothing, position is nothing, fame is nothing. Who you become inside is everything. What happens to you is not as important as how you react to what happens. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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