Chapter 15: The Lung - Pleura Flashcards
Radiation used in therapy for tumors in the lung or mediastinum often causes what type of pleuritis?
Serofibrinous pleuritis
A purulent pleural exudate (empyema) usually results from what?
Bacterial or mycotic seeding of the pleural space; by contiguous spread from intrapulmonary infections, but may also be from lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination
Which inflammatory-type of pleural effusion is characterized by loculated, yellow-green, creamy pus composed of masses of neutrophils admixed with other leukocytes?
Empyema
Empyema of the lungs may resolve, but more often the exudate organizes into what; causes what complications?
- Organizes –> dense, tough fibrous adhesions
- Frequently obliterate the pleural space or envelope the lungs
- Restricting pulmonary expansion
Which type of pleuritis is manifested by sanguineous inflammatory exudates?
Hemorrhagic pleuritis
Hemorrhagic pleuritis is found in what 3 settings?
- Hemorrhagic diatheses
- Rickettsial diseases
- Neoplastic involvement
What are the 3 major mechanisms underlying transudative pleural effusions; examples?
- ↑ hydrostatic pressure; “overflow” from the lung interstitium = CHF
- ↓ plasma oncotic pressure = nephrotic syndrome
- Movement of transudative ascitic fluid thru the diaphargam = cirrhosis
What are the 2 major mechanisms underlying exudative pleural effusions; some examples?
- Inflammation –> infection (TB, pneumonia), PE (infarction), CT disease (SLE, RA), adjacent to subdiaphragmatic disease (pancreatitis, subphrenic abscess)
- Malignancy
What is the arrow indicating on this CT scan?
Pleural effusion
How will a pleural effusion associated with mediastinal carcinomatosis appear grossly due to decreased lymph drainage?
Milky chylous effusion = Chylothorax
Noninflammatory collections of serous fluid within pleural cavities are known as what; appear how grossly?
Hydrothorax; clear fluid that is straw colored
What is the most common cause of hydrothorax; other causes?
- Most common = Cardiac failure
- Also, renal failure and cirrhosis
Hemothorax is a usually fatal complication associated with what?
Ruptured aortic aneurysm or vascular trauma
Pneumothorax is most commonly associated with what 3 conditions?
- Emphysema
- Asthma
- Tuberculosis
Spontaneous idiopathic penumothorax most often occurs in which age group and is due to what?
- Young patients
- Rupture of small, peripheral, usually apical subpleural blebs
Typical course of spontaneous idiopathic penumothorax; and likelihood or recurrence?
- Typically subsides spontaneously as air is resorbed
- Reccurent attacks = common