Type and location of bronchiectasis in a cohort of adults with common variable immunodeficiency

Bronchiectasis are permanent dilatations of the bronchi. Its prevalence in patients with variable common immunodeficiency (CVID) is high, however there is little information regarding the type and location of the same; therefore the objective of this study is to know the type and location of bronchiectasis in a cohort of adult patients with CVID.

It has been made a transversal, observational and descriptive study that included 32 adult patients with diagnosis of CVID according to the criteria of the European Society of Immunodeficiencies (ESID). All patients underwent high resolution pulmonary computed tomography (HRCT), which were interpreted by an expert radiologist. The frequency, type and location of bronchiectasis were reported using descriptive statistics.

Thirty-two adult patients, ten men (31.25%) and 22 women (68.7%), were included. 40.6% had bronchiectasis. 23% had a lobe involvement, 15.3% two lobes, 46.1% 3 lobes and 15.3% complete involvement of the parenchyma. The types of bronchiectasis were distributed as follows: tubular 38.4%, varicose 23% and cystic and tubular combinations 15.3%, cystic and varicose 15.3% and cystic, tubular and varicose 7.6%.

Our results show that 40% of adult patients with CVID have BQs, usually affecting three pulmonary lobes, located mainly in the right and middle lower lobe; The tubular type, is the most common. Their timely diagnosis and treatment can improve survival and reduce costs for patients and health care.