The way to treat bronchiectasis was reviewed in an article recently published on the European Respiratory Journal (2015 May; 45(5):1446-62)

SUMMARY

Bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis is characterised radiologically by permanent dilation of the bronchi, and clinically by a syndrome of cough, sputum production and recurrent respiratory infections. Formerly regarded as a rare disease, bronchiectasis is now increasingly recognised and a renewed interest in the condition is stimulating drug development and clinical research. Bronchiectasis represents the final common pathway of a number of infectious, genetic, autoimmune, developmental and allergic disorders and is highly heterogeneous in its aetiology, impact and prognosis. The goals of therapy should be: to improve airway mucous clearance through physiotherapy with or without adjunctive therapies; to suppress, eradicate and prevent airway bacterial colonization; to reduce airway inflammation and to improve physical functioning and quality of life.  This review provides a critical update on the management of bronchiectasis focussing on emerging evidence and recent randomized controlled trials.

A stepwise management of bronchiectasis is proposed:

AUTHORS: Chalmers J.D., Aliberti S., Blasi F.