Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

resp > interstitial lung disease > Flashcards

interstitial lung disease Flashcards

occupational lung disease, IPF, general ILD

1
Q

what is cumulative asbestos exposure expressed as?

A

fibre years -inhaled fibres/ml times years of exposure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the delay between asbestos exposure and asbestosis?

A

10-20 years but can be >40 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what occupations have a risk of being exposed to asbestos?

A

mining or milling asbestos
construction
insulation
fireproofing
brake linings
ship building
pipe fitting
boiler fitting
carpentry
electric repair
regularly washing work clothes with asbestos in them
demolishing buildings with asbestos in them
highest risk in UK -carpenters, plumbers, and electricians

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

how does asbestos exposure lead to lung disease?

A

asbestos directly toxic to lung parenchymal cells
it also induces cytokine, protease, and reactive oxygen release which leads to inflammation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what sort of pulmonary fibrosis does asbestos cause?

A

slow progressive and diffuse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the histological findings for asbestosis?

A

asbestos bodies can be seen -transparent asbestos fibres encased in iron and protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what criteria diagnose asbestosis?

A

helsinki criteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the diagnostic features of asbestosis?

A

1) evidence of structural pathology inkeeping with asbestos on either radiology or histology
2) evidence of causation by asbestos from occupational/environmental history, markers of exposure, or asbestos bodies. duration of 10-20years exposure is sufficient along with correct lag period.
3) exclusion of alternative causes of findings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

when is histology used for cases of asbestosis?

A

not required or recommended in most cases
only used when diagnostic uncertainty for an ILD and mainly used to exclude treatable disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the management of asbestosis?

A

-avoid further exposure
-smoking cessation
-annual flu and one off pneumococcal vaccine
-pulmonary rehab
-screening for other asbestos related diseases
-long term oxygen therapy
-no evidence for use of antifibrotics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

which has a better prognosis IPF or asbestosis?

A

asbestosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

where in the lungs do asbestos fibres tend to move?

A

to the pleura -forming pleural plaques

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are the effects of asbestos fibres in the lungs?

A

pleural plaques, effusions, fibrosis, and in some cases cancer in the form of mesothelioma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what actually are pleural plaques and where are they found?

A

smooth areas of hyaline fibrosis
usually occur bilaterally on parietal pleura of chest wall, diaphragm, or mediastinum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what are some signs of pleural plaques?

A

pleural rub may be audible
cam modestly reduce lung volumes on spirometry if extensive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the significance of pleural plaques?

A

just show asbestos exposure
don’t require treatment, biopsy, or specific followup -don’t turn into cancer and are not markers of increased mesothelioma risk

17
Q

what is benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE)?

A

unilateral pleural effusion caused by asbestos exposure. early sign -usually within 10 years.

18
Q

what are the features of BAPE?

A

exudate
may be blood stained

19
Q

how do you diagnose BAPE?

A

diagnosis of exclusion -need to rule out malignancy and other causes of unilateral pleural effusion

20
Q

how do you manage BAPE?

A

will often resolve spontaneously after a few months but repeated aspirations or pleurodesis may be needed if patient is symptomatic.

21
Q

what is pleurodesis?

A

putting a mildly irritant mineral powder into pleural cavity to ‘stick’ lungs to pleura to try and prevent pleural effusion build up as it seals the cavity.

22
Q

what can happen to the lungs after a BAPE?

A

diffuse pleural thickening (DPT)
fibrosis of pleura -involves visceral and parietal pleura

23
Q

investigations for diffuse pleural thickening (DPT)?

A

CXR -smooth, conglomerate opacity along pleura
CT -pleura >3mm thick
biopsy -sometimes needed to differentiate DPT from mesothelioma
PFTs-reduced vital capacity, TLCO low, KCO normal/high

24
Q

what are the symptoms of diffuse pleural thickening?

A

pain and breathlessness from lung restriction.

25
Q

what is mesothelioma?

A

malignancy of mesothelial surfaces-pleura most common site

26
Q

what is the main risk factor of malignant mesothelioma?

A

asbestos exposure -over 90% of cases
risk not dose -related -no safe level of asbestos exposure

27
Q

what is the average latent period between first asbestos exposure and death from mesothelioma?

A

40 years

28
Q

how do you diagnose malignant mesothelioma?

A

biopsy

29
Q

what is the progression rate of malignant mesothelioma like?

A

50% of patients die in first year of diagnosis
universally fatal

30
Q

what is the management of malignant mesothelioma?

A

patients fit enough should be considered for chemotherapy -cisplatin and pemetrexed
no other verified therapies but emerging ones that night come soon

31
Q

what is the compensation available to people with asbestosis?

A

-industrial injuries disablement benefit - available for patients with diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure. (pleural plaques alone don’t qualify in england but they do in scotland or wales)
-if employer doesn’t exist anymore, patients can apply for a one-off payment from the government via the Pneumoconiosis, etc. (Worker’s Compensation) Act
-diffuse mesothelioma payment scheme -gives payouts if employer is uncontactable
-claims can be made in civil courts within 3 years of diagnosis
Next of kin can make claims within 12 months of the patient’s death.

32
Q

what is silicosis?

A

form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust.

32
Q

how does silica cause damage to the lungs?

A

silica particles (sio2 and quartz) generate 02 radicals which injure pulmonary cells causing cytokine release, inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis.

32
Q

which occupations are at risk to silicosis?

A

mining
drillers
crushing machine operators
engineering
shipbuilding
metal/car repair works
construction
dentistry
jewellery
denim processing
artificial stonemasonry

33
Q

what are the different timeframes silicosis can present in?

A

acute, chronic, or accelerated

34
Q

what are the symptoms of acute silicosis and why?

A

breathlessness and cough
high silica levels prevent macrophages from clearing surfactant, causing it to accumulate in alveoli

35
Q

what is the difference on CT scan between acute, chronic, and accelerated silicosis?

A

chronic -small rounded nodules which slowly increase in number and size till they become fluent
acute -ground glass opacities and crazy paving patterns -nodules have no time to be formed
accelerated -ground glass appearance, nodules with softer and less defined edges.

resp (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions