PANBRONCHIOLITIS (DIFFUSE)

An inflammatory lung disease whose cause is unknown.
A form of bronchiolitis, an inflammatory condition of the small passages of the lungs (bronchioles) that is severe and progressive.
- “Diffuse” notes that the lesions appear throughout both lungs.
- “Panbronchiolitis” refers to inflammation that can be see in all layers of the respiratory bronchioles.
Causes severe inflammation and nodule-like lesions of terminal bronchioles, chronic sinusitis, and intense coughing with large amounts of sputum production.
Classified as a form of “primary bronchiolitis”.
- Underlying cause of bronchiolitis stems from or is limited to the bronchioles.

Symptoms of DPB include:

Chronic sinusitis (inflamed paranasal sinuses).
Wheezing, crackles (respiratory sounds made by obstructions such as phlegm and secretions in the lungs).
Dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Severe cough that yields large amounts of sputum (coughed-up phlegm).
- Pus may be found in the sputum, and affected individuals may have fever.

Signs of progression include:

If DPB is left untreated, bronchiectasis will occur.

Characterized by dilation and thickening of the walls of the bronchioles, inflammatory damage to respiratory and terminal bronchioles, and pooling of mucus in the lungs.

DPB is related to:

Progressive respiratory failure.
Hypercapnia (increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood).
Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary vein and artery.
Cor pulmonale (dilation of the right ventricle of the heart, or “right heart failure”).

DIAGNOSIS

Physician may do/request:

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, Clarithromycin or roxithromycin).

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