Πνευμονολογικό Ιατρείο Κ. Ν. Μανάρα

19/01/2026

18/01/2026

🫁 Bronchiectasis – Quick Medical Notes

Bronchiectasis = permanent abnormal dilatation of bronchi due to chronic infection and inflammation

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🔹 Causes
• Post-infectious (TB, pneumonia)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Immunodeficiency
• Obstruction (tumor, foreign body)

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🔹 Clinical Features
• Chronic productive cough
• Large amounts of purulent sputum
• Recurrent chest infections
• Hemoptysis
• Clubbing

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🔹 Investigations
• HRCT chest (gold standard)
• Sputum culture
• CXR: tram-track / ring shadows
• Pulmonary function tests: obstructive pattern

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🔹 Management
• Airway clearance (physiotherapy)
• Antibiotics (acute exacerbations)
• Bronchodilators if needed
• Vaccination (influenza, pneumococcal)
• Surgery in localized disease

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📌 Exam pearl:
Daily purulent sputum + recurrent infections → think Bronchiectasis

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18/01/2026

What if the patient with pneumonia is improving clinically but the CRP is still high?

this scenario—"Clinical-Biomarker Dissociation"—is a critical decision node.

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