Histopath 21: Resp Pathology Flashcards
What type of cells line the airways? the alveoli?
Airways = Ciliated respiratory epithelium
Alveoli = Type 1 Pneumocytes
Define pulmonary oedema + causes?
Accumulation of fluid in the alveolar spaces either due to leaky capillaries or back pressure from a failing left ventricle
This leads to poor gas exchange
Causes: LH failure (MAIN for path), alveolar injury (drugs), neurogenic following head trauma, high altitude
Intra-alveolar fluid is the main histological feature of what condition?
Pulmonary oedema
Causes of ARDS in adults
Infection Aspiration Trauma Inhaled irritant gases Shock DIC
What causes hyaline membrane disease in newborns?
Lack of surfactant (mainly in premature babies)
On a cellular level, what insult results in ARDS?
Acute damage to the endothelium and/or alveolar epithelium
The basic pathology is the same regardless of cause: diffuse alveolar damage
Lungs on post-partum examination was plum-coloured, heavy and airless
What was the cause of death?
ARDS
Outline the pathophysiology of ARDS.
Exudative phase – the lungs become congested and leaky
Hyaline membranes – form when serum protein that is leaked out of vessels end up lining the alveoli
Organising phase – organisation of the exudates to form granulation tissue sitting within the alveolar spaces
Define asthma
Chronic inflammatory airway disorder with recurrent reversible episodes of widespread narrowing of the airways
What is status asthmaticus ?
The term used to describe a severe attack of asthma where attacks occur one after the other
List some acute + chronic changes seen in asthma.
Acute: Bronchospasm Oedema Hyperaemia Inflammation
Chronic:
Muscular hypertrophy
Airway narrowing
Mucus plugging
Describe the main histological features of asthma
Lots of eosinophils and mast cells
Goblet cell hyperplasia
Mucus plugs within airways
Thickening of bronchial smooth muscle and dilatation of blood vessels
Define chronic bronchitis.
Chronic cough productive of sputum presents for most days for at least 3 months over 2 consecutive years
List some histological features of chronic bronchitis.
Dilated airways
Mucus gland hyperplasia
Goblet cell hyperplasia
Mild inflammation
List some complications of chronic bronchitis.
Recurrent infections
Chronic respiratory failure
Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure (cor pulmonale)
Increased risk of lung cancer (independent of smoking)
Causes of emphysema (Type of COPD)
Smoking
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency - may present as a young person w/ copd and liver issues and fhx
Rare: cadmium exposure, IVDU, connective tissue disorder
Define emphysema.
Permanent loss of alveolar parenchyma distal to the terminal bronchiole
Describe how the pattern of alveolar damage is different with smoking compared to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Smoking – centrilobular damage
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency – panacinar (throughout the lungs)
List some complications of emphysema
Bullae (can rupture to cause pneumothorax)
Respiratory failure
Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure (Cor Pulmonale)
Define bronchiectasis + what is a major RF and why + where is idiopathic bronchiectasis likley to affect
Pathalogical airway dilation secondary to recurrent infections
Major RF = CF - Permanent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi with inflammation and fibrosis extending into adjacent parenchyma
Lower lobe
Causes of bronchiectasis?
Infection (MOST COMMON):
Post-infectious (e.g. CF)
Abnormal host defence (e.g. chemotherapy, immunodeficiency)
Ciliary dyskinesia
Obstruction :
Post-inflammatory (aspiration)
Interstitial disease (e.g. sarcoidosis)
Asthma
List some complications of bronchiectasis.
Recurrent infections
Haemoptysis
Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure (Cor Pulmonale)
Amyloidosis
Where is CFTR gene found and what is the most common mutation associated w/ CF?
7q3 - Delta F508
List some clinical manifestations of CF.
GI – meconium ileus, malabsorption Pancreas – pancreatitis Liver – cirrhosis Male reproductive system – infertility Recurrent chest infections
Causes of CAP + HAP
CAP:
- Strep pneumo
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Mycoplasma
HAP:
- Gram -ves (klebsiella, pseudomonas)
Bacteria involved in aspiration pneumonia
Mix of anaerobes + aerobes