Bronchiectesis, Asthma, Vasculitis Flashcards
What is Bronchiectesis?
Obstructive lung disease.
Abnormal irreversible dilatation of the bronchi due to destruction of the muscle and elastic tissue.
Causes of bronchiectesis?
Infection (pneumonia, ABPA, Mycobacteria, etc)
Congenital conditions
Immunodeficiency
Bronchial obstruction
Rheumatic conditions (sjogrens, SLE, RA, ulcerative colitis)
Pathogenesis of bronchiectesis?
Dmg to bronchial epithelium
Colonisation by bacteria and inflammation
Release of ROS by neutrophils
Dmg to bronchial walls and dilatation.
Viscous cycle
Symptoms and signs of bronchiectesis?
Productive cough Blood streaked sputum/haemoptysis Dyspnoea and wheezing Pleuritic pain Recurrent LRTI Crackles, coarse creps, rhonchi Clubbing (rare)
What investigations to do in bronchiectesis?
Bloods - FBC, U&E, autoantibodies, etc. Microbiology - Sputum culture and susceptibility - Blood culture Radiology - CXR/CT Bronchoscopy - Obstruction - Culture and cytology washings PFT's
What is pleural effusion vs empyema?
Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space.
- Fluid is classed as exudate or transudate.
Empyema= same thing but infected fluid/puss.
Pathophysiology of pleural effusions?
When formation is greater than removal by lymphatics.
Transudate by systemic factors, exudate by local factors.
Signs of pleural effusion on clinical exam?
Dull to percussion
Reduced tactile fremitus
Reduced breath sounds
Management of pleural effusions?
Thoracocentesis
CXR
CT
Blood tests
Refer to mindmaps on causes of exudate vs transudate (slides 29 and 30)
Refer to mindmaps on causes of exudate vs transudate (slides 29 and 30)
What is asthma?
Episodic reversible bronchospasms due to bronchoconstriction in response to various stimuli.
Pathophysiology of asthma?
Inflamm of airways
Oedematous airway epithelium
Airway muscle contracts
Symptoms of asthma?
SOB Wheezing Chest tightness \+/- sputum Usually worse in morning
