Bronchoscopy for refractory/unexplained cough with mucus

Abstract

Introduction: Refractory/unexplained cough (RUCC) is typically associated with throat symptoms and a dry cough. Some patients attending specialist cough clinics however, report sputum production (>1 tablespoon daily) and atypical sensations (urge-to-cough in chest). Bronchoscopy findings in this specific cohort have rarely been described.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell differential and microbiology findings in RUCC with mucus production.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed case notes, procedure results and treatment of patients undergoing bronchoscopy for RUCC with more than a tablespoon of sputum daily.

Results: Data were included from 54 patients with RUCC, normal or trivial findings on CT (Computerised Tomography) imaging and no response to guideline-directed treatment of their cough. Most (84%) patients had BAL neutrophilia and excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) was seen in 31%. Treatment strategies in these patients differed to those adopted in typical RUCC associated with a dry cough. Management was influenced or changed in 48/54 (89%) of the patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Conclusions: Bronchoscopy provides high diagnostic value in RUCC with mucus production (>1 tbsp daily), identifying specific treatable traits including neutrophilic airway inflammation and EDAC.