[Bronchiectasis in advanced old-age. Etiopathogenetic and diagnostic considerations and medico-social implications]

A study was carried out on the etiopathogeny and socio-medical implications in 18 cases of bronchiectasis, without a typical clinical symptomatology before admission. All the patients were over the age of 60 years. The bronchographic examination was performed in all the cases. In 8 of the cases bronchiectasis was interpreted as a post-tuberculosis syndrome and in the other 10 cases bronchiectasis was attributed to pulmonary sclerosis of different origin (acute unsuppurated pneumopathy). The gradual changes in pulmonary mechanics, the organic and functional deficiences developing with age lowered the resistance of the body to viral and bacterial infection, contributing to the onset of bronchiectasis in the older group. The suppurative episodes were curred by treatment in all the cases.