Etymed
bronchiolitis
Definition
Inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest branches of the respiratory tree
Clinical context
A 3-year-old child presents to the emergency department with cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing that started after a cold viral illness. On examination, there is diffuse wheezing bilaterally. Chest X-ray shows hyperinflation without consolidation. The child has a history of recurrent respiratory infections and was exposed to secondhand smoke at home.
Mnemonic
BRONCHIOLE inflammation - think 'BRO' for bronchioles, 'BRO' for breathing difficulty, 'BRO' for bronchiolitis