Experience With Flexible Bronchoscopy as A Useful Diagnostic And Treatment Tool In Patients Diagnosed With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Single-Center Study

Bronchiectasis is a progressive disease causes permanent changes in the structure and function of the airways; most described in the literature with cystic fibrosis (CF), but it is also seen in chronic suppurative lung diseases other than CF. While macroscopic imaging can be performed with flexible bronchoscopy, microbiological sampling can also be performed with bronchoalveolar lavage. 86 patients, seen in the pediatric pulmonology department of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine between 2015 and 2023, not diagnosed with CF and had bronchiectasis findings on lung tomography, were included. The characteristic features, clinical and radiological findings are summarized in table 1. The most affected lobes were the lower left and lower right lobes. Half of the patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy. The most common indication for bronchoscopy is microbiological sampling, airway evaluation, atelectasis, recurrent lower respiratory tract infection. The most frequently growing microorganisms in lavage culture were h.influensa, p.aeruginosa and s.pneumonia. Macroscopically, the most common finding was mucoid secretion, bronchomalacia serous secretion ring-shaped mucosal fold (figure 1), purulent secretion, mucus plug, mucosal damage and airway anomaly were detected. During the subsequent follow-up of the patients, a regression in the area and severity of bronchiectasis was observed in three patients. Since there are few studies in the literature about non-CF bronchiectasis, it is generally described as an 'orphan disease'. We believe, the possibility of stopping the progression of disease a and even treating it may become possible