CH9 - Respiratory Tract Pathology Flashcards
What is rhinitis?
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
What is the most common cause of rhinitis?
adenovirus
What does rhinitis present with?
sneezing, congestion, and runny nose (common cold)
What is allergic rhinitis?
a subtype of rhinitis due to a type I hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. to pollen)
What is allergic rhinitis characterized by?
an inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils
What is allergic rhinitis characterized by?
associated with asthma and eczema
What is a nasal polyp?
Protrusion of edematous, inflamed nasal mucosa
What is a nasal polyp usually secondary to?
repealed bouts of rhinitis; also occurs in cystic fibrosis and aspirin - intolerant asthma
What is aspirin-intolerant asthma characterized by?
the triad of asthma, aspirin induced bronchospasms, and nasal polyps;
What is the incidence of asprin-intolerant asthma in asthmatic adults?
seen in 10% of asthmatic adults
What is angiofibroma?
Benign tumor of nasal mucosa composed of large blood vessels and fibrous tissue
In whom is angiofibroma classically seen?
in adolescent males
What does angiofibroma present with?
profuse epistaxis
What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Malignant tumor of nasopharyngeal epithelium
What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma associated with?
EBV
Who is nasopharyngeal carcinoma classically seen in?
African children and Chinese adults
What happens in a biopsy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
usually reveals pleomorphic keratin-positive epithelial cells (poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) in a background of lymphocytes
How does nasopharyngeal carcinoma often present?
with involvement of cervical lymph nodes
What is acute epiglottitis?
Inflammation of the epiglottis
What is the most common cause of acute epiglottitis?
H. influenzae type b especially in nonimmunized children
What does acute epiglottitis present with?
high fever, sore throat, drooling with dysphagia, muffled voice, and inspiratory stridor; risk of airway obstruction
What is laryngotracheobronchitis?
(croup) Inflammation of the upper airway
What is the most common cause of laryngotracheobronchitis?
parainfluenza virus
What does laryngotracheobronchitis present with?
a hoarse, (barking) cough and inspiratory stridor