Pulmonology Flashcards
Aspiration into lobes depends on position: which lobes?
Upright - RML, bilateral lower lobes
Recumbent - posterior segment of RUL, superior segment of RLL
Pulmonary contusion - imaging
Serial X-ray or chest CT (more sensitive) - patchy, irregular alveolar infiltrates due to bleeding and edema
When does traumatic ARDS manifest?
24-48h after injury; affects lungs bilaterally
How does massive PE differ from smaller/segmental PE?
Massive: Systolic BP <90, drop in cardiac output, patient falls or has syncope
Smaller: focal pleural irritation, pulmonary ischemia (e.g. chest pain)
What is the most common cancer of the adult larynx?
Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (>90%) - due to smoking, alcohol
Sx:
Hoarseness persistent >30 days
Airway obstruction
Dysphagia
Referred otalgia (CN IX from base of tongue and CN X from posterior pharyngeal wall)
What is suggested by rapid decompensation and cardiac arrest following central venous catheter placement?
Venous air embolism - a large VAE (>50 mL) can lodge in right ventricle or pulmonary arterioles and obstruct flow
Obstructive shock –> cardiac arrest (e.g. pulseless electrical activity)
Air embolism causes
How would arterial air embolism manifest?
- Trauma –> arterial
- Certain surgeries (e.g. neurosurgery –> arterial, otolaryngological)
- Central venous catheter
- Pulmonary barotrauma
Arterial: stroke (cerebral occlusion), MI (coronary occlusion)
What numbers are useful in diagnostic thoracentesis?
- Fluid pH (Low = infection, malignancy, or rheumatoid arthritis)
- LDH
- Protein
How is Zenker diverticulum diagnosed?
Swallow study with contrast esophagography
Pulmonary contusion appearance on X-ray
Hemorrhage and edema that manifests as irregular, nonlobular opacities
Subcutaneous emphysema over chest
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum
Caused by high intraalveolar pressure, which can result from coughing paroxysms or other coughing causes
Acute respiratory distress syndrome - differential from cardiac failure volume overload
New bilateral fluffy opacities on chest x-ray but euvolemic, normal JVP, normal LV function
When lung injury has clear etiology, ARDS can be diagnosed with no further testing
ARDS treatment
Low tidal volume ventilation
Prone positioning
What test can clarify whether pulmonary edema is cardiogenic or not?
Pulmonary artery catheterization - reveals pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
What are the best predictors of postoperative outcome following lung resection?
FEV1
DLCO
Those with estimated postoperative value <40% are at elevated risk of morbidity
Value of end-tidal CO2
Information about ventilation (CO2 production and clearance)
- Monitor ventilation settings
- Monitor correct endotracheal tube placement
- Measure effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
What organ in abdominal injury is difficult to diagnose immediately following trauma?
Pancreatic injury - duct injury will lead to peripancreatic fluid collection (upper abdomen free fluid)
May follow blunt abdominal trauma from crushing against vertebral column
Transfusion-related lung injury symptoms
Within 6h transfusion:
1. Fever
2. Hypotension
3. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Empyema appearance based on stage of progression
Early - Effusion is free-flowing
Advanced - Effusion is fixed with evidence of loculation
Empyema course compared to uncomplicated pneumonia
Weight loss, gradual presentation over 1 week (anaerobic 2-3 weeks)
What is most common cancer to appear in upper cervical LN? How to find primary site?
Head and neck SCC
Alcohol and tobacco use significant
Use laryngopharyngoscopy to locate primary mucosal site
What is suggested by anterior or peripheral ground glass opacities of lungs?
Blunt force trauma to chest causing pulmonary contusion
Indicative of alveolar hemorrhage and edema
Classic irregular, nonlobular infiltrates
Often negative on initial chest x-ray, may take up to 24h to show there
Timeframe of fat embolism
24-72h
Timeframe of ARDS
24-72h or longer
Bilateral diffuse infiltrates
What is flail chest?
Fracture >=3 ribs in >=2 locations causing paradoxical motion of part of chest wall, increasing work of breathing
Paired with pulmonary contusion and hemorrhage/edema (work of breathing, lower diffusion), can cause respiratory distress
What is indicated by rapid reaccumulation of air in intrapleural space despite tube thoracostomy?
Likely tracheobronchial rupture
Bronchoscopy for definitive diagnosis (CT may miss small tears)
Requires operative repair
What is talc pleurodesis?
Obliteration of pleural space to prevent frequent recurrence of effusion (e.g. malignancy) or pneumothorax (e.g. COPD)
Bronchogenic cyst - cause, signs, diagnosis
Due to anomalous budding of foregut during development
Chest discomfort, nonspecific respiratory symptoms (e.g. recurrent coughing or infections)
Diagnose with CT with contrast
What measures affect PAO2?
PiO2 and minute ventilation (tidal volume x respiratory rate)
What anticoagulant is preferred for treatment of acute PE in patients with malignancy?
Low molecular weight heparin - preferable over DOAC, which may increase bleeding from tumor
When is prone positioning used?
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and persistent hypoxemia despite optimal mechanical ventilation settings
Reduces atelectasis in posterior lung (where most of lung mass is located)
Patients with venous air embolism should be placed in what position?
Left lateral decubitus - air bubble hugs right ventricle wall and doesn’t block outflow
Risk from central venous catheter removal