Bronchiectasis can be diagnosed according to the patient’s clinical symptoms, x-ray examination, chest CT and so on.
1. Clinical symptoms: Typical symptoms of bronchiectasis are chronic cough, coughing up a lot of purulent sputum and repeated hemoptysis. Coughing sputum in the morning, evening and sleep the most, sputum is mostly yellow-green pus, sputum drainage is not smooth, then the feeling of chest tightness, systemic symptoms are also significantly aggravated. When bronchiectasis is complicated by compensated or obstructive emphysema, patients may have dyspnea, wheezing or chest tightness.
2. X-ray examination: In early bronchiectasis, there is no special manifestation on X-ray, but as the disease progresses, double-track sign or honeycomb changes are found on X-ray, and liquid level appears in the shadow when infection occurs.
3. Chest CT: High-resolution CT is used to evaluate diffuse lung disease, which can clarify the location of the dilated bronchi, the extent of the lesions, and the impact on the lung tissues, which may appear as columnar dilatation or cystic changes in bunches or clusters.
When a patient suspects bronchiectasis, it is important to go to the hospital for imaging to make a definitive diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis.