Respiratory Flashcards
Define pleural effusion
Accumulation of an abnormal volume of fluid in the pleural space
Describe the fluid that is normally found in the pleural space
<15ml in volume
Clear, serous fluid with few cells
What sign is suggestive of a pleural effusion on a CXR?
Blunting of the costaphrenic angles
What symptoms can be associated with a pleural effusion?
Asymptomatic
SOB
Cough
Pleuritic chest pain
What clinical signs are associated with a pleural effusion? I.e 1. chest expansion 2. tacile vocal fremitis 3. percussion 4. breath sounds 5. any other...
- Chest expansion is reduced
- Reduced tactile vocal fremitis
- Stony dull percussion
- Quiet breath sounds
+ Bronchial breathing above fluid level
+ Rub with pleural inflammation
Describe the mechanism of a pleural effusion
Disturbed balance between pleural fluid production and absorption
If there is a bilateral pleural effusion, what type of effusion is it generally?
Transudate (protein <30g/l)
What type of pleural effusion can be caused by cardiac failure?
Unilateral effusion on the right
How should pleural effusion be sampled?
USS guidance
Need >100ml to cytology + paired serum samples
Biochemistry - Light’s criteria
Microbiology
How much pleural effusion can be drained at a time?
1 litres
What are causes of transudative pleural effusion?
Cardiac failure
Hepatic cirrhosis
Nephrotic syndrome
Hypoalbuminaemia
What are causes of exudative pleural effusion?
Bacterial pneumonia
Malignancy
Mesothelioma
TB
At what site should a thoracentesis be performed?
Above the rib (below rib is the neurovascular bundle)
Describe Light’s criteria for establishing whether a pleural effusion is a transudate or exudate
- Pleural/serum protein ratio >0.5
- Pleural LDH/serum LDH >0.6
- LDH >2/3 the upper limit of normal value for serum LDH
When is a medical thoracoscopy indicated?
Undiagnosed cytology negative pleural effusions
What are the four management options for malignant pleural effusion?
- Drain to dryness and discharge
- , Medical pleurodesis
- Thoracoscopic pleurodesis
- Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) - high output pleural effusion
What percentage of pneumonias will have an associated effusion?
50% (parapneumonic)
Describe a complex parapneumonic effusion
pH <7.2
LDH >1000
Glucose <2.2
Loculated on ultrasound
What mortality is associated with an empyema?
15%
On CXR, what shaped effusion is suggestive of empyema?
D-shaped
When should an empyema be considered?
Effusion + sepsis
Pneumonia and not improving
How should an empyema be managed?
Small bore chest drain
Frequent sterile saline flushes
IV antibiotics and DVT prophylaxis
Fibrinolytics - streptokinase or DNAase and tPA (alteplase)
Describe sarcoidosis
Multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology that predominantly affects the lungs and the intrathroacic lymph nodes
What skin lesion is associated with sarcoidosis?
Erythema nodosum
What eye condition is associated with sarcoidosis?
Uveitis
In what population is sarcoidosis most commonly seen?
African American women
What type of granulomas are associated with sarcoidosis?
Non-caseating granulomas (T cell surrounding macrophages)
What histology is commonly present in sarcoidosis?
Langhans Giant Cells
Contain Schaumann bodies and astroid bodies
What are the general symptoms of sarcoidosis?
In what percentage of patients are these present?
Weight loss Anorexia Fever Malaise Night sweats
45%
What electrolyte disturbance is associated with sarcoidosis?
Hypercalcaemia (increased Vitamin D produced by macrophages)
What happens to ACE levels in sarcoidosis?
Increased (from T cells)
What is stage 1 CXR classification for sarcoidosis?
Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy without infiltration
What is stage 2 CXR classification for sarcoidosis?
Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with infiltration
What is stage 3 CXR classification for sarcoidosis?
Peripheral infiltration alone
What is stage 4 CXR classification for sarcoidosis?
Bullae Fibrotic bands Bronchiectasis Diaphragmatic tenting Hilar retraction
How can severe symptoms of sarcoidosis be managed?
Steroids
Describe the epidemiology of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP)
Age >50y
M:F = 2:1
What signs and symptoms are associated with UIP?
Progressive breathlessness (worse with exercise), hacking cough
Bibasilar crackles
Clubbing
Appetite and weight loss
What pathological findings are associated with UIP?
Peripheral interstitial pattern Subpleural honeycombing (radiological sign)
What are some of the non-idiopathic causes of UIP?
Occupational and environmental
Drug induced - amiodarone, cocaine, nitrofurantoin, methotrexate
Connective tissue disease - SLE, RA, scleroderma
Primary disease - sarcoidosis, LAM
What percentage of cases of UIP are idiopathic?
25%
How can UIP be diagnosed?
High resolution CT
VATS (3 samples)
What are the four features of UIP that need to be detected following VATS?
- Spatial heterogeneity
- Temporal heterogeneity
- Smooth muscle hyperplasia
- Fibroblastic focus
What is extrinsic allergic alveolitis also called?
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Define EAA/HSP:
Immunologically mediated (T-cells) inflammatory reaction in the alveoli and respiratory bronchioles following exposure to organic dust, moulds, foreign proteins (animal dander), and some chemicals
How long after the exposure to the allergen do symptoms develop?
4-8 hours
What symptoms are associated with EAA/HSP?
Flu-like symptoms: high fever, chills, malaise and myalgia
Chest symptoms: cough, dyspnoea, chest tightness
Describe some of the radiological findings associated with acute HSP:
Numerous poorly defined small opacities throughout both lungs May have sparing of the apices/bases Ground glass opacities Fine reticulation may occur Zonal distribution