الفهرس 
Anatomy and CT Anatomy of the LungOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 149 |  |  |
| | | from | 149 | | |
Abstract
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition that affects the lungs. It is defined by inflamed, permanently and irreversibly damaged airways. Common symptoms of bronchiectasis include a chronic cough, producing sputum (phlegm), recurrent chest infections, fatigue and breathlessness.
Many pulmonary syndromes and systemic diseases have been described that have bronchiectasis as an integral feature. Contrary to earlier perceptions that it is an ”orphan disease”, bronchiectasis appears to be under diagnosed, especially in childhood, and new disease associations continue to be described.
With the advent of (HRCT) scanning, bronchiectasis has been demonstrated as an important cause of respiratory disease that may predispose to premature mortality. This long-neglected illness should receive more research attention in order to provide better understanding of its etiology, pathogenesis and multimodality treatment.
The pattern and distribution of abnormalities revealed by HRCT in patients with bronchiectasis are affected by underlying cause.
Our study which includes 30 patients with 109 sets of observation revealed that predominantly upper lobe and mixed pattern bronchiectasis mainly in cystic fibrosis while predominantly lower lobe with mixed pattern of bronchiectasis mainly in the infectious & idiopathic causes (despite idiopathic type being more diffuse & not satisfactorily of lower lobe predominance).
Central predominance bronchiectasis in cross sectional distribution mostly in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Middle & lower predominance bronchiectasis are noted with situs invertus & dextrocardia associated with immobile cilia syndrome (Kartagener syndrome).
Finally the location, site of bronchiectasis in cross sectional imaging & pattern of dilatation of airways help in determining the underlying specific cause for early & specific management.
This leads to decrease the morbidity, mortality of patients, decrease the cost, efforts & unnecessary invasive & noninvasive investigations to diagnose the underlying cause and to start the specific treatment.