Image of the month: Radiological findings in bronchiectasis
A 67-year-old patient with bronchiectasis, diagnosed at age 4, presented with worsening dyspnoea and hypoxia. Chest radiograph revealed finger in glove appearance in left lung and large cystic spaces at lung bases (Fig 1). A subsequent computed tomography scan ruled out pulmonary embolism; however, it showed the following interesting radiological features consistent with cystic-cylindrical bronchiectasis and bronchocoeles:
Bunch of grapes sign1 – refers to dilated bronchi lying in close approximation giving the appearance of clusters of thin walled cysts (Figs 2 and 3). Similar appearances have also been described in hydatidiform mole and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
Finger in glove sign2 – refers to dilated bronchi filled with mucus/mucoid impaction and are seen as opacities originating from hila directed peripherally (Figs 2 and 4).
Bronchial arterial hypertrophy due to broncho-pulmonary shunting (Fig 5).
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish the clinical details and images in this article.
- © 2016 Royal College of Physicians
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