Which condition involves abnormal dilation of the bronchi with mucus accumulation?

Which condition involves abnormal dilation of the bronchi with mucus accumulation?

• A. Bronchiolitis
• B. Asthma
• C. Pneumonia
• D. Bronchiectasis

Answer: (D)

Bronchiectasis is the condition described. It involves permanent dilation of the bronchi due to damage to the elastic and muscular walls from chronic infection or inflammation. This structural change disrupts normal mucociliary clearance, so mucus accumulates and becomes a nidus for recurrent infections, leading to a chronic productive cough with copious, sometimes foul-smelling sputum. The dilation is permanent, which distinguishes it from other airway diseases where the airway caliber changes reversibly or where the primary issue is infection of the alveoli rather than the bronchi. Bronchiolitis, by contrast, is inflammation of the smaller airways (bronchioles) and doesn't cause permanent bronchial dilation. Asthma involves reversible airway hyperreactivity and narrowing rather than permanent dilation. Pneumonia is an infection that fills the air spaces (alveoli) with inflammatory exudate, causing consolidation rather than dilation of the bronchi.

Bronchiectasis is the condition described. It involves permanent dilation of the bronchi due to damage to the elastic and muscular walls from chronic infection or inflammation. This structural change disrupts normal mucociliary clearance, so mucus accumulates and becomes a nidus for recurrent infections, leading to a chronic productive cough with copious, sometimes foul-smelling sputum. The dilation is permanent, which distinguishes it from other airway diseases where the airway caliber changes reversibly or where the primary issue is infection of the alveoli rather than the bronchi.

Bronchiolitis, by contrast, is inflammation of the smaller airways (bronchioles) and doesn't cause permanent bronchial dilation. Asthma involves reversible airway hyperreactivity and narrowing rather than permanent dilation. Pneumonia is an infection that fills the air spaces (alveoli) with inflammatory exudate, causing consolidation rather than dilation of the bronchi.