UNCOMPLICATED UNILATERAL BRONCHIECTASIS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
By uncomplicated bronchiectasis is meant the characteristic changes of that disease in a portion of the bronchial tree without parenchymal abscess formation or pneumonitis as determined by the roentgenogram. A more or less uniform shadow may be due to a thickened pleura only, but until recently there has been no means of excluding abscess or pneumonitis on a clouded roentgenogram. The clinical picture of chronic paroxysmal cough with an abundance of purulent sputum, clubbed fingers and more or less general debility is characteristic of uncomplicated bronchiectasis. Recurrent attacks of fever with an associated rapid loss of weight and strength and increased amount of foul sputum is typical of bronchiectasis with involvement of the surrounding lung tissue, the exacerbations of symptoms marking an extension of the disease process. In doubtful cases, however, in my experience the roentgenogram has been the final criterion of uncomplicated bronchiectasis (figs. 1, 2 and 3). Extensive

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: