Pathology of Restrictive Lung Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is the interstitium of the lungs?
A
Connective tissue space between the basement membranes of alveolar walls, around airways and vessels
2
Q
What microcompartment in the lungs is mostly affected by restrictive lung diseases?
A
Interstitium (hence aka interstitial lung disease)
3
Q
What is the interstitium mostly made up of?
A
Elastin
4
Q
What happens in interstitial lung disease?
A
Filling/expansion of the interstitium –> thickening of the alveolar walls –> fibrosis and scarring –> reduced lung compliance
5
Q
What pattern of FEV1 and FVC do you get in restrictive lung disease?
A
Normal FEV1/FVC ratio
FEV1 and FVC low
6
Q
How can restrictive lung diseases present?
A
Abnormal CXR
SoBoE –> SoB at rest
Type 1 resp failure
Heart failure - hypoxic cor pulmonale
