Permanent bronchial dilatation with chronic cough and copious sputum; HRCT diagnostic.
History taking
- • Onset, duration, progression, severity
- • Aggravating / relieving factors
- • Past history, drugs, allergies, comorbidities
- • Family & social history relevant to presentation
Examination
- • General: vitals, pallor, icterus, oedema, lymphadenopathy
- • Focused system examination
- • Look for red-flag findings
Red flags
- • Haemodynamic instability
- • Rapid deterioration
- • Severe pain or new neurological deficit
Differential diagnosis
- • See differentials section per chief complaint
Recommended investigations
- • HRCT chest
- • Sputum MCS + AFB
- • Immunoglobulins, CF screen, ABPA workup
Diagnosis
- • Clinical diagnosis supported by targeted investigations
Initial treatment / management
- • Airway clearance, pulmonary rehab
- • Treat exacerbations with culture-directed antibiotics 14 d
- • Vaccinations
Drug therapy
- • Macrolide (azithromycin 250 mg 3×/week) if ≥3 exacerbations/year
Follow-up advice
- • Review in 2–4 weeks or earlier if worsening
- • Monitor response to therapy and adverse effects
Patient counselling
- • Explain diagnosis and natural course in lay terms
- • Red-flag symptoms warranting urgent return
- • Adherence to medications and follow-up
Referral criteria
- • Refer if diagnostic uncertainty, complications, or failure of first-line therapy
References
- • Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e
- • NICE / WHO guidelines (current edition)
Educational outpatient guide — verify against local guidelines before clinical use.
