ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF BRONCHIECTASIS, A DISEASE CHARACTERIZED BY CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF BRONCHIAL TUBES AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is an abnormal and permanent dilatation of bronchi. It may be either focal, involving airways sup plying a limited region of pulmonary parenchyma, or diffuse, involving airways in a more widespread distribution. It is a dis order that typically affects older individuals; approximately two-thirds of patients are women.