The characteristic clinical feature is a chronic cough with mucopurulent sputum. Other symptoms may include dyspnea, rhinosinusitis, and hemoptysis. Physical examination reveals crackles and rhonchi on auscultation, often accompanied by wheezing. High-resolution computed tomography confirms the diagnosis.
X-ray chest: best initial test (may not show mild disease)
in CT chest (axial section)
Numerous bilateral dilated bronchi (bronchiectasis) show wall thickening and an increased bronchoarterial ratio. Several bronchi imaged in cross-section have a diameter greater than the accompanying pulmonary artery diameter
- (1; signet ring sign), while others imaged in long axis have parallel walls
- (2; tram track sign).
