Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Bronchiectasis classification
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Bronchiectasis may be classified according to its severity into 3 sub types: tubular/fusiform, varicose, and saccular. Bronchiectasis may also be classified according to its location into 2 sub types: localized and generalized.
Classification
Classification
Based on Severity
Based on severity, bronchiectasis may be classified as follows:
| Type | Features |
| Tubular or fusiform (cylindrical) bronchiectasis (follicular bronchiectasis) | Most common type. It is characterized by development of mildly inflamed bronchi that fail to taper distally[1][2] |
| Varicose bronchiectasis | The bronchial walls appear beaded because areas of dilation are mixed with areas of constriction |
| Saccular (cystic) bronchiectasis | These are characterized by severe, irreversible ballooning of the bronchi peripherally, with or without air-fluid levels |
Based on Location
Based on localization, bronchiectasis may be classified as follows:
| Location | Features |
|---|---|
| Localized | Confined to one lobe only |
| Generalized | Involves more than one lobe |
References
References
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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.