Respiratory Flashcards
What antibiotic would be given to a patient with a CURB score of 2?
oral/IV amoxicillin and claritromycin
or just clarithromycin if pen allergic
What are the classical findings on respiratory examination of a patient with COPD?
Reduced circo-sternal distance <3cm
Hyper-resonant percussion note
Use of accessory muscles for respiration
What lung cancer has the strongest relationship to smoking?
Small cell lung cancer
What is the gold standard treatment for SCLC?
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Chemotherapy sensitive
What is the criteria for long term oxygen therapy in COPD patients?
PaO2 < 7.3
or PaO2 7.3-7 AND peripheral odema, pulmonary HTN, hypoxaemia, secondary polcythaemia
What is the criteria for long term oxygen therapy in COPD patients?
PaO2 < 7.3
or PaO2 7.3-7 AND peripheral odema, pulmonary HTN, hypoxaemia, secondary polcythaemia
What is the most common lung cancer in non smokers?
Adenocarcinoma
What peripheral stigmata indicate lung adenocarcinoma?
clubbing and
hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (painful wrist)
How should a secondary pneumothorax in a patient >50 years with a rim of >2cm on CXR be managed?
Insert a chest drain 5th intercostal space anterior to the mid-axillary line
Signs consistent with a tension pneumothorax?
Hyper-resonant percussion note
Tracheal deviation
Reduced chest expansion
How should a haemodynamically unstable patient with a tension pneumothorax be managed?
Insert and IV cannula for emergency needle thoracentesis in the 2nd intercostal space mid-clavicular line.
What is the most common cause of diagnosis of superior vena cava obstruction?
Lung cancer
What is the best initial step in the management of SVCO?
Dexamethasone after to reduce swelling (after ensuring the airway is secure)
How is curb 65 calculated?
C - confusion, ABM <8
U - urea>7 mmol/L
R - RR>/ 30
B - Blood pressure <90 systolic and / or <60mmHg diastolic
65 - ages over 65
Why does a pancoast tumour sometimes cause Horner’s syndrome?
IN the apex of the lung, the tumour can invade the sympathetic chain which includes a pre-ganglionic neurones supplying the muscles in the eye and face
What is the most common cause of an exudative pleural effusion?
Mallignancy
Infection
Lung injury
(blocked blood vessels and lymph nodes)
What is the most common cause of an transudative pleural effusion?
Heart failure.
Pulmonary embolism
Cirrhosis
Post open heart surgery
Pathophysiology of exudative pleural effusion?
Caused by fluid leaking out of capillaries with increased permeability, a process which happens when inflammation is present. Due to the increased permeability of the capaillaries, larger molecules like proteins are able to follow out fluid into the pleural space
What causes a transudative pleural effusion?
Associated with low protein levels. Fluid filters out through intact capillary walls which do not leave space for larger molecules such as proteins to pass through. Pleural fluid production is not balanced with re-absorption, resulting in its accumulation. This is due to altered hydrostatic and osmotic forces acting across the capillary membrane.
What pleural aspirate is exudative?
If the pleural fluid protein is between 25 and 35 g/L
Fissures of the right lung?
Horizontal fissure (upper lobe to middle lobe)
Oblique fissure (middle lobe to lower lobe)
Fissures of the left lung?
Oblique fissure only (two lobes, upper and lower)
How does pneumothorax affect V/Q ratio?
Decreases
What is the first line treatment for COPD?
SABA or SAMA
Findings in IPF?
Fine bi-basal end inspiratory crackles
Reduced chest expansion
Clubbing of the fingers
Causes of basal lung fibrosis
Connective tissue disorders (exlcuding anklosing spondylitis)
Asbestos and drugs (Nitrofurantonin, bleomycin, methotrxate, amiodarone)
Why are fine crackles upon inspiration heard in pulmonary fibrosis?
Thickened stiffened walls of the alveoli are moved apart by the air entering
Features of a life threatening asthma attack?
Sats <90%
Peak expiratory flow rate <33% of best
Silent chest
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Exhaustion
Following a provoked PE, how long should a patient be anticoagulated for?
3 months
Following an unprovoked PE, how long should a patient be anticoagulated for?
6 months (or longer if active cancer)
Second line pharmacotherapy for asthma and COPD?
Inhaled corticosteroids e.g. beclometasone inhaler
What asthma/COPD treatment is most likely to cause oral thrush?
ICS e.g. beclomethasone inhaler
What might a patient present with when they have a respiratory complaint?
Dysponea: MRC score, ET, triggers, relieving factors, diurnal variation, orthopnea, PND
Chest pain: site, severity, radiation, triggers, relieving factors, associated symptoms
Wheeze: triggers, relieving factors, diurinal variation, associated cough
Cough: dry or productive, triggers, relieving factors, diurnal variation, associated with eating or dyspepsia, positional, nasal secretions, associated fever
Sputum: how much over 24hrs, colour, consistency
Haemopytsis: quantity and frequency, fever/night sweats, appettite, weight loss
What is the MRC dysponoea score?
1 Not troubled by breathlessness related to activites
2 SOB when hurrying or walking up a slight hill
3 Walks slower than contemparies on level ground because of breathlessness, or has to stop for breath when walking at his own pace
4 Stops for breath when hurrying or walking up a slight hill
5 Too breathless to leave the house, or breathless when dressing or undressing
What is particularly relevant in a respiratory patient’s PMH or PSH?
Asthma - previous hospitalisations/ITU
COPD
DVT/PE
Nasal polyps
Previous lung infections - including TB
Childhood lung infections
Surgery
Cardiovascular illness
Cancer
Allergies
What are particularly significant aspects of family history in relation to a respiratory patient?
Respiratory Disease
Cardiac disease
Cancer
Thrombophillia (if DVT/PE)
Cystic fibrosis (if young and chest infections)
What is significant in the social history of a respiratory patient?
Smoking - current (pack years), ex (pack years, when stopped), never or passive, also vaping
Occupation history - asbestos specifically
Pets - cats, birds
Recent forigen travel
Immobility - flights or long car journeys
ADLS
Performance status
Relevant systems review in a respiratory history?
Bowels ok? Appetite/weight loss
Any problems with your water works?
Joint pains? Rashes?
Neuro/cardio
What hand signs may be present in resp. exam?
Clubbing
Peripheral cyanosis
Nicotine/tar staining
CO2 retention flap
Tremmor
What should be looked out for on a patient’s face during a respiratory examination?
Trachea
JVP
Lymph nodes
How might you comment on the quality of a chest x-ray?
Rotation
Transparency
Spinous processes
Adequete inspiration
How would you present a chest X Ray
Are The Elephants Parading By Here Soon? My Mother Finds All Fun Stuff Silly.
AP or PA
Trachea deviation + corena + bronchus
Expiration - sufficient/uniform/roation
Patchiness
Borders of heart and lung fissures
Hemidiaghpram visable?
Size of heart
Mediastinal shift
Mediastinal contors and hilla visable? Lymphandopathy
Fractures and bony abnormalities
Air under diaphragm
Forigen bodies
Surgical emphysema/soft tissue abnormality
Summerise
What is VC on spirometry?
Volume of air expired from the lungs from a maximal inspiration using a slow/relaxed manouvere
What is FVC on spirometry
Volume of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs from a position of maximal inspiration
What is FEV1
Volume of air forcibly expelled from the lungs in the first second following a maximal inspiration
What are the four causes of hypoxia (low PaO2)
Hypoventilation
Diffusion impairment
Shunt
V/Q mismatch
Causes of respiratory acidosis?
Hypoventillation - e.g. neuromuscular diseases
Alveolar hypoventillation - e.g. COPD
What is a normal A-a gradient in a young person?
Less than 2kPa
What is a normal A-a gradient in an older person?
<4 kPa
What does an increased A-a gradient mean?
Implies lung pathology (rather than another cause ie. stand alone hyperventillation)
How do you calculate PAO2
20 - pCO2/0.8
How do you calculate the A-a gradient?
PA02 - PO2
(20 - PaCO2/0.8) - PO2
What is anaphylaxis?
Serious allergic reaction, sensetised individual exposed to specific antigen.
IgE response to antigen, mast cell and basophill activation, histamine realease and body response
Sympathetic activation
Symptoms of anaphylazis?
Pruitis, urticaria & angioedema, hoarseness, progressing to stridor and bronchial obstruction, wheeze and chest tightness from bronchospasam
Management of anaphylaxis?
Remove trigger, maintain airway, 100% O2
Intramuscular adrenaline 0.5mg, repeated every 5 minuites as required
IV hydrocortisone 200mg
IV chlorpheniramine 10mg
Life flat and resussiate if hypotension
Treat bronchospasam: NEB salbutamol
Larangenal odema: NEB adrenaline
Features of a mild asthma attack?
No features of severe asthma
PEFR>75% of normal
Features of moderate asthma?
No features of severe asthma
PEFR 50%-75%
Features of severe asthma?
Any one of
PEFR 33-50% of predicted
Cannot complete sentences in 1 breath
RR > 25 /min
HR > 110 /min
Features of life threatening asthma?
PEFR <33% of best predicted
Sats <92%
ABG pO2 < 8kPa
Cyanosis, poor respiratory effort, nearly silent chest
Exhaustion
Confusion
Hypotension
Arrhythmias
Normal CO2
What indicates near fatal asthma?
Raised pCO2
Management of acute asthma (up to moderate)
ABCDE
Aim sats 94% - 98% with O2 as needed
5mg nebulised salbutomol - can repeat after 15 mins
40mg oral Prednisolone STAT (IV hydrocortisone if PO not possible)
Management of severe asthma?
ABCDE
Aim sats 94% - 98% with O2 as needed - ABG if <92%
5mg nebulised salbutomol - can repeat after 15 mins - consider back to back
40mg oral Prednisolone STAT (IV hydrocortisone if PO not possible)
Nebulised Ipratropium bromide 500 micrograms
Management of life threatening or near fatal asthma?
ABCDE
Aim sats 94% - 98% with O2 as needed - ABG if <92%
5mg nebulised salbutomol - can repeat after 15 mins - consider back to back - consider IV if ineffective
40mg oral Prednisolone STAT (IV hydrocortisone if PO not possible)
Nebulised Ipratropium bromide 500 micrograms
IV aminophyline
Urgent portable CXR
Urgent ITU or anaesthetist assesment
What suggests an infective exaccerbation of COPD?
Change in sputum volume/colour
Fever
Raised WCC +/- CRP
When should O2 sats be aimed 88-92% in COPD?
Evidence of acute or previous Type 2 Respiratory Failure
What NEBs may be used in an exacerbation of COPD?
Salbutomol
Ipratropium
What steroid course should a patient with a COPD exacerbation have?
Prednisolone 30mg STAT and OD for 7 days
When should antibiotics be given in an exaccerbation of COPD?
Raised CRP
Raised WCC
Purulent sputum
When should NIV be considered in a COPD exaccerbation?
Type 2 resp failure and pH 7.25-7.35
Under what pH should ITU referal be considered in a patient with COPD?
7.25
What imagine should a patient with an acute exaccerbation of COPD have?
CXR
When might IV aminophylline be considered in a respiratory patient?
Life threatening or near fatal asthma
COPD exaccerbation
Features of pneumonia?
Consolidation on CXR with fever
+/- purulent sputum
+/- raised WCC or CRP
What constitutes massive haemoptysis?
> 240mls in 24 hours
100mls/day over consecutive days
How is massive haemoptysis managed?
ABCDE
Lie patient on side of suspected lesion if known
Oral tranexamic acid for 5 days or IV
Stop NSAIDs, aspirin, anticoagulants
Antibiotics if any evidence of respiratory tract infection
Consider Vitamin K
CT aortogram - interventional radiologist may be able to undertake bronchial artery embolisation
Management of a tension pneumothorax
- Large bore intravenous cannula into 2nd ICS MCL
- Chest drain into the affected side
Symptoms of a PE?
Chest pain - pleuritic
SOB
Haemoptysis
Low cardiac output followed by collapse (if massive PE)
What is a massive PE?
PE with haemodynamic compromise
Risk factors for a provoked PE?
Surgery
– Abdominal/pelvic; Knee/ hip replacement
Post-operative spell on ITU
• Obstetric
– Late pregnancy; Caesarian section
• Lower Limb
– Fracture; Varicose veins
• Malignancy
– Abdominal/ Pelvic/ Advanced/ Metastatic
• Reduced Mobility
• Previous proven VTE
What might cause an unprovoked PE?
Underlying mallignancy
Thrombophillia
Management of PE?
ABCDE
O2 of hypoxic
Analgesia if pain
SC LMWH whilst aawaiting CTPA
CTPA
Fully antiocoagulated once confirmed on CTPA
What is a massive PE?
Hypotension
Imminent cardiac arrest
Signs of right heart strain on CT/ECHO
Consider thrombolysis with IV alteplase (risk of intracerbral bleed 4%)
Absolute contraindications to thrombolysis?
Haemorrhagic stroke or ischemic stroke < 6 months
CNS neoplasisa
Recent trauma or surgery
GI bleed < 1 month
Bleeding disorder
Aortic dissection
Relative contraindications to thrombylisis?
Warfarin/DOAC
Pregnancy
Advanced liver disease
Infective endocarditis
Asthma characteristics?
Chronic inflammatory airway disease
Airway obstruction is often reversable, either spontaniously or with treatment
Increased airway responsiveness (airway narrowing) to a variety of stimuli
Wheeze differentials
Acute asthma exacerbation
Bronchitis - viral or bacterial
(LESS COMMON):
Pulmonary odema
PE
Vocal cord dysfunction
GORD
Forigen body
Allergy
Hyperventillation/psychosocial
Cardiac disease
Vasculitides - Churg-Stauss syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, granulomatosis with polyangitis
Carcanoid syndrome with hepatic metasteses - release of HIAA
Pathophysiology of Asthma
Airway epithelial damage - shedding and subepithelial fibrosis, brasement membrane thickening
An inflammation reaction characterised by eosinophills, T-lymphocytes (Th2) and mast cells.
Inflammatory mediators released include histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins
Cytokines amplify inflammatory response
Increased number of muscus secreting goblet cells
Smooth muscle hyperplasia and hypertrophy
Mucus plugging in severe asthma
Criteria for safe asthma discharge after exacerbation?
PEFR>75%
Stop regular nebulisers for 24 hours prior to discharge
Inpatient asthma nurse review to reasses inhaler technique and adherence
Provide PEFR meter and written asthma action plan
At least 5 days oral prednisolone
GP follow up within 2 working days
Respiratory clinic follow up within 4 weeks
Differentials for eosinophillia
Asthma
Hayfever / allergies
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Multiple courses of antibiotics for chronic infection
Eosinophillic granulomatosis with polyangitis
Eosinophillic pneumonia
Parasites e.g. Hookworm
Lymphoma
SLE
Hyperesosinphillic syndrome
Asthma triggers?
Smoking
URTI - viral
Allergens - pollen, house dust mite, pets
Exercise - also cold air
Occupational irritants
Pollution
Drugs - aspirin, beta blockers (inducing eye drops)
Food and drink - dairy produce, alcohol, orange juice
Stress
Severe asthma - consider inhaled herorin, pre-menstrual, psychosocial aspect
What is COPD?
COPD is characterised by airflow obstruction - usually progressive, not fully reversable, does not change markedly over several months.
Combination of chronic bronchitis and empyshema.
Causes of COPD?
Smoking
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficency
Industrial exposure - soot
Outpatient COPD management?
COPD care bundle
Smoking cessation
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Bronchodilators
Antimuscarinics
Steroids
Mucolytics
Diet
LTOT if appropriate
Lung volume reduction if appropriate
Long Term Oxygen Therapy criteria?
pO2 consistently below 7.3kPa, or below 8 kPa with cor pulmonale
Patients must be non-smokers and not retain high levels of CO2
Why is LTOT offered?
Survival benefit
Treatment to help prevent organ hypoxia
Not a treatment to help prevent organ hypoxia
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
6-12 week programme of supervised exercise, unsupervised home exercise, nutritional advice, and disease
Most common organisms causing community aquired pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumonia
Haemophilus influenza
Moraxella catarrhalis
Atypical organisms that may cause pneumonia?
Organisms include legionella pneumphila,
Chlamydia pneumoniae,
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Hospital acquired pneumonia caustive organisms?
Organisms include e.coli
MRSA
Pseudomonas
CXR consolidation common differentials?
Pneumonia
TB (usually upper lobe)
Lung cancer
Lobar collapse (blockage of bronchi)
Haemorrhage
What is Legionnaire’s disease?
Legionnaire’s disease is a form of pneumonia, usually caused by Legionella pneumophilla
CURB - 65 often high
Pneumonia follow up?
HIV test
Immunoglobulins
Pneumococcal IgG serotypes
Haemophilus influenzae b IgG
Follow up in clinic 6 weeks with a repeat CXR to ensure resolution
Causes of a non-resolving pneumonia
CHAOS
Complication - empyema, lung abscess
Host - immunocompromised
Antibiotic - inadequete dose, poor oral absorption
Organism - resistant or unexpected organism not covered by empircial
Second diagnosis - PE, cancer, organising pneumonia
Clinical features of respiratory TB?
Often fever and nocturnal sweats
Weight loss
Malaise
cough +/- purulent sputum/haemoptysis
Differntial diagnosis of haemoptysis?
Infection
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- Brochiectasis / CF
- Cavitating lung lesion (often fungal)
Mallignnacy
- Lung cancer
- Metasteses
Haemorrhage
- Bronchial artery erosion
- Vasculitis
- Coagulopathy
Other
- PE
TB Risk Factors
• Past history of TB
• Known history of TB contact
• Born in a country with high TB incidence
• Foreign travel to country with high incidence of TB
• Evidence of immunosuppression–e.g. IVDU, HIV,
solid organ transplant recipients, renal failure/
dialysis, malnutrition/ low BMI, DM, alcoholism
Management of pulmonary TB?
ABCDE
Aim to culture whenever possible
Admit to side room, negative pressure
x3 sputum samples for AAFB and TB culture
Routine bloods (especially LFTS)
HIV testing
Vit D level testing
Bronchoscopy if no productive cough
Consider CT chest if clinical features and CXR are not typical
If ?CAP/?TB start antibiotics as per CURB-65 alongside invetigations
Start ATTT before sputum results if critically unwell and high likelihood of TB (After sputum samples are sent)
Saving
Basics of Anti-TB therapy
2 months Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol
4 months Rifampicin, Isonazid
Weight dependent dosage
Check baseling LFT’s, and visual acuity (ethambutol)
DOT if needed
Pyridoxine given alongside Isonazid to prevent peripheral neuropathy
Side effects of Rifampicin?
Hepatitis
Rash
Fever
Orange/red secretions
Isonazid side effects
Hepatitis
Rash
Peripheral neuropathy
Psychosis
Side effects of Pyrazinamide?
Hepatitis, rash, vommiting, arthralgia
Common medications rifampicin interacts with?
Warfarin
Oral contraceptive pill
What is Bronchiectasis?
Chronic dilation of one or more bronchi
The bronchi exhibit poor mucus clearence and there is predisposition to recurrent or chronic bacterial infection
Gold standard diagnostic test for bronchiectasis?
High resolution CT
Potential causes of bronchiectasis?
Post infective - whooping cough, TB
Immune deficiency - hypogammaglobulinaemia
Genetic/mucocillary clearence defects: CF, primary cilary dyskiesia, Young’s syndrome, Kartagener syndrome
Obstruction - forgien body, tumour, extrensic lymph node
Toxic insult - gastric aspiration, inhilation of toxic chemicals, gases
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Secondary immune deficiency - HIV, mallignancy
RA
What non-respiratory conditions is bronchiectasis associated with?
Yellow nail syndrome
IBD
What bloods might help identify the cause of newly diagnosed bronchiectasis?
Immunoglobulin levels
CF genotype
Asperegillus IgE/IgG / total IgE
HIV test
RF
Auto antibodies
Alpha-1-antitrypsin level
What ogransims are commonly seen in bronchiectasis?
Haemophilus infulenzae
Pseudomonas aerguinosa
Moraxella catarrhalis
Stenotrophomonas maltophillia
Fungi - aspergillus, candida
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Less common - staph aureus (CF)
Management of bronchiectasis?
Treat underlying cause
Physiotherapy - mucus/airway clearence
Sputum for rotine culture as well as nontuberculous mycobacteria
10-14 days abx as per sputum cultures/sensitivites for any acute exaccerbation
What constitutes an exaccerbation of bronchiectasis?
Deterioration in 3 or more of the following for at least 48hrs:
Cough
Sputum volume/consistency
Sputum purulence
Breathlessness and or/ET
Fatigue
Haemoptysis
What causes Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA?
Aspergillus fumigatus exposure
What type of bronchiectasis does Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) often lead to?
Upper lobe
Which patients does Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) tend ot be seen in?
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
CF
What types of hypersensitivity reactions occur in Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)?
Fungal spore inhillation leads to a combination of type 1 and type 3 hypersensitivity reaction
When might steroids be required in Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)?
If ongoing symptoms and high total IgE level
What is cystic fibrosis?
An autosomal recessive disease leading to mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR)
This can lead to multisystem disease (and part of the body with CFTR) characterised by thickened secretions.
How is CF diagnosed?
-One or more of the characteristic pheontypic features OR a history of CF in a sibling OR a positive newborn screening result
-An increased sweat chloride concentration (>60 mmol/L) OR identification of two CF mutations on genotyping OR demonstration of abnormal nasal epithelial ion transport
CF presentations?
- Meconium ileus
2.Intestinal malabsorption - Recurrent chest infections
- Newborn screening
Potential features of cystic fibrosis?
Chronic sinusitis
Nasal polyps
Repeated lower respiratory tract infection
Bronchiectasis
Liver disease
Portal HTN
Gallstones
Abnormal sweat secretions (salty)
Pancreatic insufficiency
Diabetes
Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
Steatorrhoea
Osteoperosis
Male infertility
Arthoropathy/arthritis
What is meconium ileus?
In 15-20% of newborn CF infants bowel is blocked by sticky secretions.
Signs of intestinal obstrcution soon after birth - billous vommiting, adbominal distensions, delay in passing meconium
Common complications of CF?
Respiratory infections
Low body weight
Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
CF related diabetes
How are respiratory infections managed in CF patients?
Agressive therapy
Resp physio
Antibiotics (potentially prophylactic to maintain health)
How is low body weight managed in patients with CF?
Careful monitoring, may be consequence of pancreatic insufficiency (lack of pancreatic enzymes), therefore patients can be given pancreatic replacement enzymes.
High calorie intake, often extra supplements
May need NG or PEG feeding
What is the difference between DIOS and constipation?
DIOS is faecal obstruction in the ileocaecum, versus whole bowel
What causes DIOS in CF patients?
Due to intestinal contents in the distal ileum and proximal colon (thick, dehydrate faeces)
Often the result of insufficient replacement of pancreatic enzymes
Salt deficiency, hot weather
How does DIOS present?
Palpable RIF mass (faecal)
AXR demonstrating faecal loading at junction of small and large bowel
How is distal intestinal obstrcution syndrome managed?
PO gastrografin - this works by drawing water across the bowel wall by osmosis into the bowel lumen, aiming to rehydrate dehydrated faecal mass and allow it to pass
How is CF managed?
Physio for airway clearence
Exercise
Mucolytic treatment options also include nebulised DNase (pulmozyme)
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy - i.e. Creon
Nutitional supplementation if under weight
Fat soluble vitamin replacement (A D E K)
Long term antibiotics (sometimes inhaled or nebulised)
Optimastion of CF related diabetes - insulin therapy
Novel CFTR modulator/potentiators (e.g. Kaftrio) improve FEV1, weight, quality of life and a reduction in frequeny of infective exacerbations
Long-term monitoring for CF related diabetes, CF releated liver disease and osteoperosis
What lifestyle advice should a CF patient be given?
No smoking
Avoid other CF patients
Avoid friends/relatives with colds/infections
Acoid jaxuzzis (pseudomonas)
Clean and dry nebulisers throughouly
Clean and dry nebulisers throughly
Avoid stables, compost or rotting vegetation - risk of asperigillus fumigatus inhalation
Annual influenza immunisation
Sodium chloride tablets in hot weather/vigourous exercise
What is the pleural cavity?
Potential space created by pleural surfaces
Serous membrane that folds back on itself
- Outer pleura = parietal (attached to the chest)
- Inner pleura = visceral (covers lungs)
What are the various pleural diseases?
Pneumothorax = air in pleural cavity
Pleural effusion = fluid in pleural cavity
Empyema = infected fluid in the pleural cavity
Pleural tumours = benign vs mallignant
Pleural plaques = discrete fibrous areas
Pleural thickening = scarring/calcification causing thickening (benign vs. mallignant)
Pneumothroax types?
Spontaneous - primary (no lung disease), secondary (lung disease)
Traumatic
Tension: emergency
Iatrogenic (e.g. post central line or pacemaker insterion)
Pneumothorax Risk Factors
Pre-existing lung disease
Height (increasing)
Smoking/cannabis
Diving
Trauma/chest procedure
Association with other conditions e.g. Marfan’s syndrome
How is a primary pneumothorax managed as per BTS guidelines?
Sympotomatic and rim of air >2cm on CXR give O2 and aspirate.
If unsucsessful re-aspirate or consider costal drain.
Remove drain after full re-expansion / cessation of air leak