Obstructive Lung Disease Flashcards
What is obstructive lung disease characterized by?
Resistance to airflow, causing difficulty emptying the lung (FEV1/FVC <0.7)
List the main types of obstructive lung diseases.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema
What are clinical features of chronic bronchitis?
Chronic cough with sputum production lasting for 3+ months in 2 consecutive years
What is a key histological finding in chronic bronchitis?
Goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus in airway, and acute inflammation
What distinguishes centriacinar from panacinar emphysema?
Centriacinar affects respiratory bronchioles (smoking-related); panacinar affects entire acinus (alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency)
What causes centriacinar emphysema?
Typically smoking, affecting upper lobes more commonly
What condition is associated with panacinar emphysema?
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, commonly affecting lower lobes
Describe a characteristic feature of emphysema.
Apical blebs, especially in centriacinar emphysema
What are common symptoms of asthma?
Chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, often triggered by allergens or exercise
What structural changes are seen in asthma?
Thickened airway walls, smooth muscle hyperplasia, mucous gland hyperplasia, eosinophil infiltration
What are Curschmann spirals and where are they found?
Mucus plugs with shed epithelium, found in asthmatic airways
What are Charcot-Leyden crystals?
Crystallized eosinophil proteins found in asthmatic sputum
Define bronchiectasis.
Permanent dilation of bronchi and bronchioles due to chronic inflammation and infection
What conditions can lead to bronchiectasis?
Cystic fibrosis, chronic infections, immune disorders, and airway obstruction
What is a common clinical presentation of bronchiectasis?
Chronic productive cough with purulent sputum, hemoptysis
