BMJ  2007;335:1089-1093 (24 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39384.657118.80

Clinical Review

Treatment of bronchiectasis in adults

Nick H T ten Hacken, specialist registrar in pulmonology, Peter J Wijkstra, specialist registrar in pulmonology, Huib A M Kerstjens, professor of pulmonology

Pulmonary Department, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Postbox 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands

Correspondence to: N H T ten Hacken n.h.t.ten.hacken@int.umcg.nl

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.


Bronchiectasis refers to abnormal bronchial dilatation caused by a vicious cycle of transmural infection and inflammation
Symptoms include chronic productive cough, wheeze, and dyspnoea; repeated respiratory infections may dominate the clinical picture
Diagnosis is based on daily production of mucopurulent phlegm and dilated and thickened airways on computed tomography
Diagnosis should lead to investigation and treatment of possible causes and associated conditions
Acute exacerbations should be treated promptly with short courses of antibiotics
Frequent exacerbations may be treated with prolonged and aerosolised antibiotics
The role of mucolytics, anti-inflammatory agents, and bronchodilators is not clear
Surgery is a possibility if the area of bronchiectasis is localised and symptoms are debilitating or life threatening


Patients with bronchiectasis usually need lifelong medical support from their doctor, especially given the frequent episodes of infection. This article focuses on the treatment of bronchiectasis in adults and does not include a discussion of bronchiectasis caused by . . . [Full text of this article]


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