Bronchiectasis: An Evidence-Based Approach to Diagnosis

The purpose of this review is to understand the criteria for clinical and radiologic diagnosis of bronchiectasis and the algorithmic approach for diagnosing its etiology.

The current understanding of bronchiectasis is of a syndrome with characteristic clinical and radiologic features. The clinical diagnosis requires presence of cough and/or sputum production on most days of the week and history of infective exacerbations. Radiologic diagnosis requires identification of abnormally dilated airways on a chest computed tomogram. Etiology of bronchiectasis is then established by analyzing history and focused investigations. A bundled approach is proposed by various societies. Minimum investigations which need to be performed for all include complete blood picture, sputum examination, serum immunoglobulin levels, and tests for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Bronchiectasis is a syndrome with characteristic clinical and radiologic features. A correct diagnosis of disease and its etiology is the first step in planning an appropriate therapeutic strategy.