THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS IN BRONCHIECTASIS

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Abstract
Acquired bronchiectasis is a chronic progressive pulmonary disease characterized by dilatation of the bronchi, and it occurs without pathognomonic symptoms. Many theories as to its pathogenesis have been advanced. It is now generally accepted that softening of the bronchial wall, associated either with increased intrabronchial pressure or with extrabronchial traction, is responsible for its development. Bronchiectatic dilatations are divided, according to gross anatomic appearance, into the saccular, in which the bronchi form spherical pockets, and the cylindric, in which they are dilated throughout their length. Other forms are variations of these two principal kinds. When once established, the disease does not respond favorably to ordinary medical measures. With improvement in the technic of thoracic surgery, recourse will undoubtedly be had in increasing frequency to surgical measures for the eradication of the disease. Many of the surgical procedures employed in treatment of bronchiectasis are formidable, and the operative mortality rate is

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