Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways.

• If the condition is present at birth, it is called congenital bronchiectasis.
• If it develops later in life, it is called acquired bronchiectasis.

Acquired bronchiectasis; Congenital bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is often caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the airways. It most often begins in childhood as a complication from infection or inhaling a foreign object.

Cystic fibrosis causes about a third of all bronchiectasis cases in the United States. Certain genetic conditions can also cause bronchiectasis, including primary ciliary dyskinesia and immunodeficiency syndromes.

The condition can also be caused by routinely breathing in food particles while eating.

Images

Lungs

Respiratory system

Next Section

Bronchiectasis Symptoms

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)