Mark Metersky, MD, FCCP, illustrates the pathology of bronchiectasis.
This is a video synopsis/summary of an Insights involving Mark Metersky, MD, FCCP, on bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is an increasingly recognized pulmonary condition affecting approximately 400,000 people in the United States. The increased recognition is partly due to an aging population, as bronchiectasis commonly affects older patients, as well as increased diagnosis via chest CT scans. Clinically, bronchiectasis is characterized by chronic cough, usually with chronic daily sputum production, and often exacerbations causing worsened symptoms requiring antibiotics. It is diagnosed by CT scan identifying dilated, enlarged airways (bronchi). Some patients have bronchiectasis incidentally found on CT without significant symptoms, but most have chronic cough.
Exacerbations represent an acute worsening of symptoms like increased cough and sputum production or changes in sputum character, fever, chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, and sometimes hemoptysis. Exacerbations can be from bacterial or viral causes, though the cause is often unidentified. Most exacerbations are treated with antibiotics.
Bronchiectasis demonstrates heterogeneous causes and manifestations without one typical presentation, though it predominantly affects older females. Symptoms vary widely, from minimal to significant impairment of quality of life with daily cough and copious sputum production, malaise, weakness, and shortness of breath in severe cases. Most patients do not have severe, debilitating disease leading to respiratory failure or death.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMCÒ editorial staff.
MINT Trial 26-Week Data Show Inebilizumab for gMG Is Effective and Safe
April 1st 2025These are data to week 26 on the monoclonal antibody and antineoplastic agent; data out to week 52 of the MINT trial will be presented in a late-breaking oral session at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
Read More
FDA Approves Cabozantinib for Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
March 26th 2025With strong progression-free survival benefits demonstrated in the CABINET trial and updates to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, this approval reinforces cabozantinib’s role in improving outcomes for patients facing these challenging cancers.
Read More
PAH Therapies Improve Outcomes in PH-ILD
March 26th 2025Pulmonary hypertension is a common consequence of interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD), with the highest rate seen among individuals who have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Overall, most cases of PH in the setting of ILD are mild.
Read More