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.
Overview
Overview
Other diagnostic tools that can be used are pulmonary function tests, electron microscope examination, and bronchoscopy.
Bronchiectasis Other Diagnostic Studies
Bronchiectasis Other Diagnostic Studies
Pulmonary Function Tests
- 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
Electron Microscope Examination
- Examination can be performed on sputum and respiratory epithelium for evidence of ciliary structural abnormalities or dyskinesia
Bronchoscopy
- Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage may be used to obtain specimens for staining and culture[1]
References
References
- ↑ de Vries, Jorrit J. V.; Chang, Anne B.; Marchant, Julie M. (2018). “Comparison of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage findings in three types of suppurative lung disease”. Pediatric Pulmonology. doi:10.1002/ppul.23952. ISSN 8755-6863.
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH