Medicine 7 Flashcards
How is HRCT different from volumetric CT?
10-15 mm interspace (fewer slices) Doesn't cover the whole chest No contrast so not very good for mediastinum/vasculature Used for ILD/emphysema/bronchiectasis Less radiation
NOTE: volumetric CT is used for cancer staging, lymph nodes and pleural space
How is asthma defined on the basis of investigation results?
Variable airway obstruction (PEF > 20% variability, FEV1 > 12% or 200 mL improvement)
Airway hyper-responsiveness (PC20 - provocation test using either histmaine or metacholine)
NOTE: PC20 means the amount of histamine you need to give a patient to see a 20% drop in FEV1. FeNO is a surrogate marker for airway inflammation if high.
List some complications of bronchiectasis.
Pulmonary hypertension Cachexia Lobar collapse Massive haemoptysis Type 2 respiratory failure Situs inversus (Kartagener's)
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with bronchiectasis?
CXR HRCT (dilated thickened airways with evidence of mucus plugging - signet ring sign) Sputum cultures Spirometry (obstructive) Aspergillus markers Immunoglobulins CF genetic testing
Outline the management of bronchiectasis.
Physiotherapy (mucus clearance, postural drainage) Prompt treatment of infection with abx Correct underlying causes Prophylactic antibiotics Bronchodilators Pulmonary rehabilitation Smoking cessation
Which investigations would you request for a patient with suspected lung cancer?
CXR
Volumetric CT
Lung function (assess fitness for surgery)
PET-CT wit 18-FDG (to look for distant metastases)
Biopsy/bronchoscopy/endobronchial ultrasound
List some complications of COPD.
Cor pulmonale Secondary pneumothorax Polycythaemia Lung cancer Steroid therapy complications
What are the cardinal signs of hyperinflation in COPD?
Reduced crico-sternal distance (normal = 3 fingers)
Loss of cardiac dullness
Displaced liver edge
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with suspected COPD?
FBC (secondary polycythaemia)
CXR (is there anything else going on? Cancer? Infection?)
Lung function (fixed obstructive with no reversibility)
Blood gas
HRCT (to assess whether volume reduction surgery is feasible)
Echo to check for pulmonary hypertension
A1AT
Which scoring system is used to assess how functionally impaired a COPD patient is?
mMRC
0 = only breathless with strenuous exercise
1 = short of breath when hurrying or walking slightly uphill
2 = walk slower than the average person of the same age due to breathlessness, have to stop for breaks
3 = stop for breath after walking 100 m or after a few mins
4 = too breathless to leave the house, breathless when dressing
What is tested for when a pleural effusion is sampled?
Microscopy and culture TB Protein Glucose pH (< 7.2 in empyema) LDH Cytology
Outline the management of a pleural effusion.
Drain (may include video-assisted thorascopic surgery, indwelling pleural catheter)
Treat underlying cause
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with suspected interstitial lung disease?
CXR
HRCT (ground glass, honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis)
FBC (complement, autoimmune screen)
Lung function including transfer factor (TLCO)
BAL (cell differentials), transbronchial biopsy
Echocardiogram (pulmonary hypertension)
6 min walk
ABG
Outline the management of interstitial lung disease.
Physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation Ambulatory oxygen Anti-tussives Smoking cessation Pirfenidone/ninetadinib (IPF only) Immunosuppressives/steroids (especially sarcoid or CTD-associated) Transplant Palliative care
Which investigations should be requested in the case of any cardiac valve lesion?
Bloods - exclude endocarditis if new (blood cultures, FBC, CRP, U&E)
Clotting - if anticoagulated
Echo - confirm diagnosis, check all valves, assess severity and ventricular function
ECG - for rhythm, LVH and ischaemia
CXR - for associated lung lesions
Other vascular risk factors (e.g. BP, lipids)
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with signs of ischaemic heart disease?
Bloods - FBC, U&E, glucose, lipids ECG CXR Echo - function and evidence of old MI Angiography Dynamic testing (e.g. stress echo) Assess rest of vasculature
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with a suspected pleural effusion?
CXR - confirm diagnosis and look for cause
Bloods - FBC, clotting, U&E, LFT, CRP, TFT, blood cultures, sats
Urine - protein
US-guided aspiration
CT chest
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with suspected liver disease?
Bloods - FBC, U&E, LFT, CRP, INR, clotting, AFP, hepatitis serology, autoantibodies
Ultrasound of the abdomen
Endoscopy for varices
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with polycystic kidney disease?
Ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis
Bloods - FBC, U&E, eGFR, LFT, PTH, urine for protein
Blood pressure
ECG for LVH and possibly echo
Which investigations should be requested in a patient with a transplanted kidney?
Bloods - FBC, U&E, eGFR, LFT, lipid profile, immunosuppressant levels
Urine for blood and protein
Ultrasound to confirm and check perfused
Examine for complications (vascular, infectious, cancer)