Respiratory (2) Flashcards

1
Q

Define idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A

A chronic, progressive, interstitial restrictive lung disease of an unknown cause which results in fibrosis and thickening of interstitial lung tissue and dyspnoea.

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2
Q

Summarise the aetiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A

Unknown cause
Occurs in genetically predisposed patients
Type II pneumocytes overproliferate, causing increased numbers of myofibroblasts which produce collagen in the interstitium

Risk factors:
Age 50-70
Male
Smoking
Occupational dust, metal or wood exposure
GORD
Diabetes
Family history
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3
Q

Summarise the epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A

More common in males
More common with increasing age - age at presentation 60-70 years old
Familial form presents younger - 55 to 60 y/o

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4
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

A
Progressive symptoms
Dry, non-productive, irritative cough - does not respond to anti-tussives
Dyspnoea on exertion
NO WHEEZE
Weight loss
Fatigue
Malaise
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5
Q

What are the signs on physical examination of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

A

Clubbing
Cyanosis
Dry late-inspiratory bibasilar fine crackles
Signs of right heart failure in advanced disease

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6
Q

What are the appropriate investigations for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

A

CXR:
Usually normal at presentation.
Early disease may show ground glass shadowing.
Late stage disease shows reticulonodular shadowing and signs of cor pulmonale.

High-resolution CT: more sensitive in early disease the an CXR. Reticular opacities, honeycombing, increased thickness of interstitial space

Pulmonary Function Tests: Restrictive features - decreased FEV1, FVC, TLC, lung compliance, normal or increased FEV1/FVC

ANA, anti-CCP and Rheumatoid Factor: 1/3 of patients are positive for ANA or RF

Bronchoalveolar Lavage: exclude infections and malignancy

Lung Biopsy: gold standard for diagnosis BUT may not be appropriate - fibrosis, areas of normal surrouded by scar tissue, honeycombing

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7
Q

Define lung cancer

A

Primary malignant neoplasm of the lungs
Can be small cell or non-small cell

Small cell/oat cell carcinoma - malignant epithelial tumour arising from cells lining the lower respiratory tract

Non-small cell:
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Large cell
Bronchial carcinoid
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8
Q

Summarise the aetiology of lung cancer

A

Small cell carcinoma:
Highly associated with smoking
From small, immature neuroendocrine cells
Aggressive, rapidly metastasising

Adenocarcinoma:
Most common type in female non-smokers

Squamous cell:
Highly associated with smoking

Other risk factors:
FHx
Radon exposure
Asbestos
Air pollution
Ionising radiation
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9
Q

Summarise the epidemiology of lung cancer

A

Adenocarcinoma is most common type in non-smokers
Adenocarcinoma - 35%
Squamous cell carcinoma - 30%
Small cell carcinoma - 30%
Large cell carcinoma - 15%
Non-small cell 3 times more common in men

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10
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of lung cancer?

A

Local symptoms:
Cough
Dyspnoea

Weight loss, fever, fatigue, night sweats

Infiltration into blood vessels - haemoptysis

Symptoms from compression of SVC - facial swelling, dyspnoea
Symptoms from compression of laryngeal nerve - hoarse voice
Symptoms from compression of brachial plexus - pain in shoulder and arm

Small cell:
Symptoms from SIADH
Symptoms of due to ACTH paraneoplastic Cushing’s - weight gain, fatigue
Symptoms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome - weakness which improves with use

Squamous cell carcinoma:
Symptoms of hypercalcaemia due to paraneoplastic PTHrp release - abdominal pain, confusion, bone pain, constipation

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11
Q

What are the signs on physical examination of lung cancer?

A

Wheeze, crackles, reduced breath sounds, dullness to percussion

Weight loss
Horner’s syndrome due to pancoast tumour - miosis, anhydrosis, ptosis
Signs of Cushing’s if paraneoplastic small cell
SVC compression: facial congestion, distension of neck veins, upper limb oedema
Brachial Plexus: wasting of small muscles of hand
Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy - clubbing, painful swollen wrist/ankles (periosteal new bone formation) - adenocarcinoma

Signs of metastases:
Hepatomegaly
Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy

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12
Q

What are the appropriate investigations for lung cancer?

A

CXR - coin lesion, single or multiple pulmonary nodules, Lobar Collapse, Pleural Effusion, Mediastinal or Hilar Fullness
Small cell and squamous cell likely central mass

CT chest, liver, adrenals - non-calcified nodule, useful for staging
Bronchoscopy and biopsy
Sputum cytology - malignant cells

FBC - may show anaemia
U&E’s - elevated calcium due to PTHrp paraneoplastic squamous cell carcinoma
LFTS (normal/elevated if lone, increased ALP in bone metastases)
Isotope bone scans

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13
Q

Define extrinsic allergic alveolitis

A

An excessive immune response to inhaled antigens, usually from occupational exposures to organic dusts, leading to inflammation of the alveoli and distal bronchioles.

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14
Q

Summarise the aetiology of extrinsic allergic alveolitis

A

Inhalation of antigenic dusts (microbes, animal proteins) induce a hypersensitivity response in susceptible individuals

Farmer’s lung - inhalation of thermophilic actinomycetes from damp, moudly hay
Pigeon fancier’s lung - inhalation of bird poo and feathers
Malt worker’s lung - mouldy barley containing aspergillus
Exposure to inhalation of actinomycetes from mouldy sugar cane
Humidifier lung: water containing bacteria and Naegleria (amoeba)

Risk Factors:
Smoking
Viral infection
Exposure to: avian protein, mould and bacterial antigen

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15
Q

Summarise the epidemiology of extrinsic allergic alveolitis

A

UNCOMMON (2% occupational lung disease)
50% reported cases affect farm workers
6-21% of pigeon breeders found to develop extrinsic allergic alveolitis

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16
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of extrinsic allergic alveolitis?

A
Acute: (present 4-12 hours after exposure)
Dyspnoea
Fever
Dry cough
Chest tightness
Headache
Malaise
Myalgia
Chronic:
Increasing dyspnoea
Decreased exercise tolerance
Fatigue
Weight loss
17
Q

What are the signs on physical examination of extrinsic allergic alveolitis?

A

Acute:
Pyrexia
Rapid shallow breathing
Inspiratory crepitations

Chronic:
Fine inspiratory crepitations
Clubbing

18
Q

What are the appropriate investigations for extrinsic allergic alveolitis?

A

FBC - increased WBC, anaemia
ESR - elevated
Albumin - low in chronic disease

CXR - diffuse infiltrates, fibrosis, may be normal in acute episode
CT chest - ground-glass opacities
Bronchoalveolar lavage - fluid shows lymphocytosis and increased mast cells, positive antibody
Inhalation challenge - shows immunological response to causative antigen
Pulmonary function test - restrictive lung disease (low FEV1, low FVC, decreased TLC, increased FEV1/FVC)

Lung biopsy - granulomas, lymphocyte infiltration in alveolar wall - in patients with lack of exposure history or atypical presentation

19
Q

Define pneumoconiosis

A

A group of interstitial fibrosing lung diseases which are caused by chronic exposure and inhalation of metal, mineral and dust particles.

20
Q

Summarise the aetiology of pneumoconiosis

A

Caused by inhalation of particles of coal dust, silica and asbestos

Risk Factors:
Occupational exposure (coal mining, quarrying, iron & steel works, industry, plumbers)
High Cumulative dose of inhaled silica or coal
Cigarette Smoking
Tuberculosis (cofactors that contribute)

21
Q

Summarise the epidemiology of pneumoconiosis

A

Silicosis - sand blasting, silica miners
Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis - coal miner
Asbestosis - shipworker, roofing, insulation
Incidence is increasing in developed countries due to delayed disease following exposure

22
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of pneumoconiosis

A

Can be asymptomatic and picked up on routine CXR

Dyspnoea on exertion
Dry cough
Black sputum in coal workers pneumoconiosis
Pleuritic chest pain in Asbestosis

23
Q

What are the signs on physical examination of pneumoconiosis?

A

Crackles
Wheeze
Clubbing

Coal-worker’s pneumoconiosis and silicosis: Decreased breath sounds
Asbestosis: End-inspiratory crepitations & Clubbing

General: Cyanosis, Barrel Chest, Weight Loss

Signs of:
Pleural effusion or right heart failure (cor pulmonale)
Rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma (uncommon complications of silica/coal exposure)
Renal Failure (may be presenting condition)

24
Q

What are the appropriate investigations of pneumoconiosis?

A

CXR:
Micronodular mottling
Silicosis - upper lobe eggshell calcification
Asbestosis - pleural and subdiaphragmatic plaques

Spirometry - restrictive lung disease - decreased FEV1, FVC, TLC, increased or normal FEV1/FVC

CT Scan: fibrotic changes can be visualised early, upper zone interstitial fibrosis (progressively involves the whole lung)
Bronchoscopy: allows visualisation and bronchoalveolar lavage

25
Q

Define aspergillus lung disease

A

Lung disease associated with Aspergillus fungal infection (usually caused by aspergillus fumigatus)

26
Q

Summarise the aetiology of aspergillus lung disease

A

Inhalation of the Aspergillus spores can produce 3 different clinical pictures:
Aspergilloma: growth of an A. fumigates mycetoma ball in a pre-existing lung cavity i.e. post TB, old infarct or abscess

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: colonisation of airways by aspergillus leads to IgE &IgG mediated immune responses. The release of proteolytic enzymes, mycotoxins and antibodies leads to airway damage and central bronchiectasis. Usually occurs in asthmatics.

Invasive Aspergillosis: invasion of aspergillus into lung tissue and fungal dissemination. Occurs in immunosuppressed patients i.e. neutropenia, aids, steroids

Risk factors:
Allogenic stem cell transplantation
Prolonged severe neutropenia (>10 days)
Immunosuppressive therapy
Aplastic anaemia
27
Q

Summarise the epidemiology of aspergillus lung disease

A

Uncommon
Clinical incidence is < 1 in 100 hospital admissions
More common in males and immunocompromised

28
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of aspergillus lung disease?

A

Aspergilloma: asymptomatic, haemoptysis (can be very significant), cough, weight loss, lethargy

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: difficulty in controlling asthma, recurrent episodes of pneumonia with wheeze, cough, fever and malaise

Invasive aspergillosis: facial pain, dyspnoea, rapid deterioration, septic picture, headache, congestion or sinus tenderness, Intracranial space occupying lesion: seizure, altered mental status and cranial nerve palsy

29
Q

What are the signs on physical examination of aspergillus lung disease?

A

Aspergilloma: tracheal deviation if large
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: dull affected lung, dull breath sounds, wheeze
Invasive Aspergillosis: cyanosis

30
Q

What are the appropriate investigations for aspergillus lung disease?

A

Aspergilloma:
CXR: round opacity may be seen with crescent of air surrounding it (usually upper lobe)
CT/MRI: if CXR does not clearly delineate opacification Sputum cultures may be -ve if no communication between colonised cavity & bronchial tree

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis:
Immediate skin test reactivity to Aspergillus antigens
Eosinophilia, ↑ total serum IgE, ↑ specific serum IgE & IgG to A.fumigates
CXR: transient patchy shadows collapse, distended mucus filled bronchi (bronchiectasis), Signs of complications: fibrosis in upper lobes and bronchiectasis
CT: lung infiltrates, central bronchiectasis
Lung Function Test: reversible airflow limitation, reduced lung volume/gas transfer

Invasive Aspergillosis:
Detection of Aspergillus in cultures OR histological examination
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or sputum may be used diagnostically
Chest CT: nodules surrounded by ground glass appearance ‘halo sign’ (haemorrhage into tissue surrounding area of fungal invasion