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bronchiectasis
- Question
- Our son (23) has problems with viscous mucus, pulmonary infections and nasal polyps (3x nasal surgery) since the age of two weeks. There are bronchiectasis in the upper lobe and he is colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There is no proof of CF. He recently was admitted to a regional hospital and had a lobectomy of the left upper lobe. My question: in which hospital in Holland is the most expertise in the field of bronchiectasis, which Professor/Doctor is specialised in this field ?
- Answer
- Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
Thank you for this question that certainly shows your concerns regarding the problems of your son. Of course we can not give a specific personal advice about your son’s situation. This has never been the purpose of the CF-ECORN project. So we suggest that you discuss the information that we will supply below with the doctor who’s treating your son.
Bronchiectasis in the upper lobes of the lung should bring up the thought of a possible diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, the latter being an allergic reaction to inhalation of aspergillus moulds. The diagnosis of ABPA is made by evaluating asthma symptoms, tests for allergic reaction to aspergillus mould and chest X-ray or chest CT.
Diagnosis of CF can be made by a sweat test and genetic testing in the blood.
In some cases the diagnosis of CF is not that clear cut with these rather simple tests but a more advanced exploration is needed to make or exclude the diagnosis of CF such as measurement of salt transport on the nasal mucosa or on the intestinal mucosa (Nasal Potential Difference measurement, Intestinal Current Measurement) or a complete examination of the total CF-gene (CFTR-gene sequencing).
These tests are only done in some specialized CF-centres in Holland and Belgium.
Discuss this information with your doctor and then see if an appointment in such a CF-centre is necessary. You can find an overview of CF-centres in Holland on the following web link: www.gezondheidsplein.nl/dossier/5/60/Overzicht-CF-centra-in-Nederland.html.
L. Dupont, K. De Boeck, M. Proesmans, F. Vermeulen - 05.01.2009
