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Plugs vs nodules vs cavitations

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Oct 27 1:48am | Replies (6)
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@kdiago1564

Hi there,

This interactive by Insmed explains 'nodules' and cavitary BE really well which are a mass of macrophages that have been deployed by the body to fight off infection.

Insmed Interactive: https://www.aboutntm.com/inside-the-lung-damage/

Click on 'Deep Dive' because it goes into more detail and there are some videos throughout.

As to whether nodules turn into cavities, I'm not sure how that works, but not nodules don't necessarily turn into cavities.

The distinction between nodules and 'plugs' seen on a CT scan is a great question and would be interested to hear how radiologists characterize each or differentiate between the two. I suppose if it's a 'tree and bud' formation, the bud might be the nodule and the tree branch might be visualized as the opaque areas impacted by mucus plugs or sputum.

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Replies to "Hi there, This interactive by Insmed explains 'nodules' and cavitary BE really well which are a..."
bsi15 | @bsi15 | Oct 26 2:27am

I have looked at a lot of lung CTs recently but don't remember having
seen "plugs" .
Or nodules in the context of bronchiectasis.

I read about
cylindrical (tubular) bronchiectasis (45%)
cystic bronchiectasis (most common in children) (45%)
varicose bronchiectasis (10%)
multiple types (25%)
[tension bronchiectasis] which some say should not count as bronchiectasis

but not about
"nodular bronchiectasis" and "cavitational bronchiectasis"

it's about the bronchii, which are "cavities" anyway, they are dark on CT.
The walls can be thickened then they show white on CTs

I'd like to see on CTs plugs or all that mucus being coughed up here.
Where is it ? Presumably in the (widend) distant bronchioles

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