A patient presents with haemoptysis, copious sputum and 'tram lines' (abnormal air bronchogram) pattern on the chest X-ray. What is the most likely diagnosis?
High-Yield Explanation
The most common clinical presentation of bronchiectasis is a persistent productive cough with ongoing production of thick,tenacious sputum.Acute hemoptysis is an impoant complication of bronchiectasis.Chest CT is the imaging modality of choice for bronchiectasis,and it shows airway dilation,detected as parallel "tram tracks" or as the " signet-ring sign"- a cross sectional area of the airway with a diameter at least 1.5 times that of the adjacent vessel, lack of bronchial tapering, bronchial wall thickening in dilated airways, inspissated secretions (TREE IN BUD SIGN) or cysts emanating from bronchial wall(CYSTIC BRONCHIECTASIS) Reference:Harrison's medicine-18th edition,pa no:2142,2143.