Cystic diseases of the lung and cystic bronchiectasis – Why do we differentiate?

Abstract

Multiple cystic lung diseases represent a group of uncommon disorders that can present a diagnostic challenge due to their resemblance with much more common conditions such as cystic bronchiectasis. It is a common practice that cystic lung diseases without other systemic features are often diagnosed as bronchiectasis. This is very often encountered in conditions such as congenital pulmonary airway malformations. Ignorance about the existence of this lung condition can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest helps to define the morphological aspects and distribution of lung cysts, as well as associated findings.

Keywords

• congenital pulmonary airway malformations
• cystic bronchiectasis
• cystic lung disease