A 28-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis presents with increasing shortness of breath and production of abundant foul-smelling sputum. The sputum in this patient is most likely associated with which of the following pulmonary conditions?

Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis refers to the irreversible dilation of bronchi, which is caused by the destruction of the muscular and elastic elements of bronchial walls. Bronchiectasis is often localized to a segment of the lung distal to mechanical obstruction of a bronchus by a variety of lesions, including tumors, inhaled foreign bodies, mucous plugs (e.g., cystic fibrosis and asthma), and compressive lymphadenopathy. Nonobstructive bronchiectasis is usually a complication of chronic pulmonary infections. Patients with bronchiectasis present with chronic productive cough, often with copious mucopurulent sputum. Pyothorax (choice E) is infection of pleural effusion.Diagnosis: Bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis