Bronchiectasis other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2], Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.

Other diagnostic tools that can be used are pulmonary function tests, electron microscope examination, and bronchoscopy.

• Early in the disease, patients will present with pulmonary function tests that represent an obstructive disorder (FEV1/FVC ratio <80%)
  • This indicates the inflammation and involvement of the small airways

• As the disease progresses, the pulmonary function tests represent a restrictive disorder (FEV1/FVC ratio > or = 80%)
  • This indicates the destruction of the lung tissue and small airways

• The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) should be measured annually
  • If the patient has an immune deficiency or primary ciliary dyskinesia, then the above should be measured four times a year

• Examination can be performed on sputum and respiratory epithelium for evidence of ciliary structural abnormalities or dyskinesia

• Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage may be used to obtain specimens for staining and culture^[1]

​​​ Template:WH Template:WS