Pulmonary Fibrosis Flashcards
What are the common examination findings?
Inspection - May look thin, SOB. May be oxygen around the bed
Hands - Clubbing or thin skin if steroids
Mouth - Central cyanosis
Expansion - Usually normal
Percission -usually normal
Auscultation - End inspiratory crackles. May be at lung bases or may be apex depending on cause
What are the investigations?
By the bed - History, obs, peak flow, spirometry and sputum, cardiovascular exam
Bloods - FBC (anaemia or infection), CRP for infection, LFTS, U/E, Autoantibodies if autoimmune
Other - CXR or HRCT, ECG, ABG for respiratory failure
What are the key investigation findings?
Bloods - Depends on cause
ABG - Type 1 or type 2 respiratory failure
CXR - May be normal or show reticulonodular shadowing
CT - Honeycombing
Spirometry - Restrictive pattern
What is the treatment?
Conservative - education, smoking cessation oxygen at home. Regular reviews with an MDT approach - Physio, respiratory consultant
Keep fit so exercise
Medical -Depends on cause - Steroids can help in some conditions
May have to change drugs
What are causes of pulmonary fibrosis
Apical
TEAR
TB
Extrinsic allergic alveolotis
Ank spon
Radiation
Basal
CARDS
Cryptogenic
Asbestos
Rheumatoid
Drugs
Sarcoid
