Bronchiectasis is evident on a CT scan. A "slice" view shows widened bronchii with thickened walls, which have lost the flexibility to help force mucus out naturally. A vertical view shows widened bronchii in comparison to the normal ones in other parts of the lung. "Tree in bud" is visible just like it sounds - and those little buds are typically evidence of pockets of infection. The most severe view is of cavities - whites area in the lung where the normal spongy tissue filled with alveoli, or little air sacs - are destroyed by infection.

And yes, it is possible for 2 radiologists to have different opinions - depending on what lung views a specific CT provides, how sensitive the machine is, and even what the radiologist is looking for. Last year, I had a heart scan, and due to my position in the machine, and what the cardiologist was asking for, failed to note the bronchiectasis. When I asked why it was "missed" by radiology, the cardiologist looked closely and saw it, but the part of my lung where it is most prominent wasn't included in the scan results. His opinion - the radiologist had all of my prior CT records, knew I had BE and was being treated, and didn't think it would add anything to my heart diagnosis to mention it.

Also, I had one CT where the radiologist reported no nodules on the CT, but the pulmonologist spotted them and pointed them out to me. In that case, the pulmonologist told me "that's why at least 3 different doctors read every scan." And now AI is evaluating many scans in addition to the humans.