respiratory diseases Flashcards
Condition describing patients with features of both COPD & asthma.
Asthma COPD overlap syndrome, e.g. COPD + reversibility + eosinophilia + steroid responsive.
Acute condition, worked in a shipyard, fever, chest pain & bloody pleural effusion.
Acute asbestos pleuritis.
Preceded by common cold which “goes to the chest”. Usually self-limiting, but increased morbidity in patients with chronic lung disease.
Symptoms: productive cough, possible fever.
Signs: normal chest exam, normal CXR, may have transient wheeze.
Acute bronchitis.
Life-threatening airway obstruction (in children). Inflamed epiglottis (often due to haemophilus influenza B -HiB).
Symptoms: acute onset of sore throat + drooling, severe croup/stridor & fever.
Treated with Ceftriaxone.
Acute epiglottitis.
Preceded by common cold + purulent nasal discharge. Usually self-limiting & resolves in approx. 10 days.
Acute sinusitis.
Acute/chronic inflammation of nasal mucosa due to allergen inhalation (^IgE which binds to mast cells & basophils). Allergen re-exposure causes mast cells & basophil degranulation.
Symptoms: acute sneezing, itching, rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion (due to mediator release e.g. histamine).
Delayed lymphocyte & eosinophil recruitment to nasal mucosa increases congestion.
Allergic Rhinitis
A condition affecting the lungs that may result from autoimmune disease (e.g. SLE, polyarteritis, Wegener’s Churg-Strauss, Bechet’s), or drugs (amiodarone, methotrexate, gold, bleomycin).
Typically causes alveolar thickening, and decreased O2 levels in blood.
Alveolitis.
Treatment: IV adrenaline/epinephrine + IV antihistamine + IV corticosteroid + high flow O2 + nebulised bronchodilators + endotracheal intubation.
Severe anaphylaxis.
High risk factors: miners, construction workers, ship-builders, car workers.
Straight fibres (amphibole) - dangerous. Curved fibres (serpentine) are less so.
Many related lung disorders: benign pleural plaques, acute X pleuritis, pleural effusion and diffuse pleural thickening, malignant mesothelioma, pulmonary fibrosis & bronchial carcinoma.
ASBESTOS
Occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Signs: diffuse pulmonary fibrosis & restrictive defects. Asbestos bodies may be seen in sputum & lung biopsy.
Asbestosis pulmonary fibrosis.
A fungal chest infection caused by inhalation of fungal spores.
In the immunocompromised/immunosuppressed: severe pneumonia & invasive disease.
In the immunocompetent: localised pulmonary infection & aspergilloma in pre-existing chest cavities.
Diagnosis: BAL, fungal culture, PCR & histopathology.
Treatment: Amphotericin B, voriconazole or surgery.
Aspergillus.
Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Genetic pre-disposition + triggers causes eosinophilic inflammation (-> TH2 cytokines)
Asthma
immediate phase of an asthma attack, consisting of early phase bronchospasm & acute inflammation.
Involves mast cells, mononuclear cells, chemotaxins & chemokines. Causes bronchospasm.
Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.
Delayed phase of asthma attack, consisting of late phase bronchospasm & delayed inflammation.
Results in epithelial damage, airway hyper-responsiveness, wheeze, mucus hyper-secretion &cough.
Type 4 hypersensitivity reaction.
Type of asthma involving crosslinking of IgE receptors to stimulate Ca2+ entry into mast cells, & Ca2+ release from intracellular stores causing spasmogen release, e.g. histamine, leukotriene, & smooth muscle contraction.
Allergic asthma.
Difficulty breathing: diurnal variability & often in response to triggers e.g. allergens or exercise.
May hear a widespread due to turbulent airflow when auscultating.
Normal FVC, normal TLCO.
Reduced FEV1 and PEFR.
FEV1/FVC <75%.
B2-agonist delivers >15% improvement in FEV1/FVC.
Asthma
Normal FVC, normal TLCO.
Reduced FEV1 and PEFR.
FEV1/FVC <75%.
Asthma
the fixed abnormal dilation of the bronchi, usually due to fibrous scarring from infection, but can also be seen with chronic obstruction.
Dilated airways accumulate purulent secretions.
Bronchiectasis.
Abnormal fixed dilation of bronchi.
Treatment involves smoking cessation + vaccination + antibiotics (clarithromucin/azithromycin for pseudomonas) + an anti-inflammatory.
Bronchiectasis.
Chronic inflammation of bronchi & bronchioles.
Patients present with gradually increasing breathlessness. Chronic cough, productive of sputum. Infective exacerbations produce purulent sputum.
Chronic neutrophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, mucociliary dysfunction, altered lung microbiome, smooth muscle spasm and hypertrophy, & partial reversibility.
Chronic bronchitis.
Form of chronic bronchitis that occurs due to inhalation of coal dust + smoking.
Simple: abnormal CXR, but no impairment in lung function.
Complicated: progressive massive fibrosis, restrictive PFTs and breathlessness.
Coal workers pneumoconiosis.
Acute (typically viral) infection of nasal passages, usually accompanied by a sore throat + mild fever.
Typically due to adenovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus & respiratory syncytial virus.
Common cold (coryza).
Most common cause of immunodeficiency, leading to recurrent respiratory infections.
Common variable deficiency.
Airway epithelial cells receive a stimulus, alveolar macrophages produce cytokines IL8 & LTB4, causing lung inflammation.
Cytokines activate neutrophils to produce CD8+ T cells & macrophages. These cause release of matrix metalloproteinases, free radicals & proteases which breakdown connective tissue of lung parenchyma.
COPD pathology
COPD pathology causing alveolar wall destruction, and which disease?
Emphysema
COPD pathology causing mucus hypersecretion, and which disease?
Chronic bronchitis
Multicomponent disease process of mucociliary dysfunction, inflammation & tissue damage.
Progressive, fixed airflow obstruction leads to impaired alveolar gas exchange causing type II respiratory failure.
Progressive reduction in lung function, increasingly breathless & worsening quality of life. May cause pulmonary hypertension, RV hypertrophy/failure, & eventually death.
COPD
Reduced FVC, FEV1, PEFR.
FEV1/FVC <75%.
B2 agonist shows <15% improvement to ratio.
COPD
Acute exacerbations usually preceded by URTI. Result in increased sputum production and purulence, more wheezy &breathless.
Examination: respiratory distress, wheeze, coarse crackles, cyanosis & ankle oedema.
COPD
Right heart disease secondary to pulmonary hypertension due to lung disease e.g. COPD.
Causes fluid retention due to hypoxia (+/- RHF).
Signs: RV hypertrophy & dilation. RH failure (swollen legs/oedema), liver congestion.
Cor pulmonale
Precipitated by various viruses.
Symptoms: harsh cough/stridor.
If mild, may be treated with humidification.
If requiring admission, then steroids are needed.
Croup/acute laryngotracheobronchitis.
Inherited autosomal recessive condition. Most common genetic condition of Caucasians (1 in 25 carry the gene).
Causes mutated CFTR gene, blocking of the airways by abnormally thick, viscous mucus. Some affected children are born with meconium ileus.
Cystic fibrosis.
Chronic cough, wheeze, diarrhoea, recurrent chest infections, failure to thrive. Possible diabetes due to pancreatic failure.
Colonisation with staph. aureus, H. influenza, strep. pneumonia, pseudomonas aeruginosa etc.
Portal hypertension & TIPSS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) may occur due to blocking of liver ducts.
Cystic fibrosis.
Group of interstitial lung diseases caused by disease of alveolar structures, resulting in impaired alveolar gas exchange, decreased PaO2 & SaO2. However, CO2 exchange is unimpaired.
Symptoms: breathless on exertion, cough w/o wheeze.
Signs: finger clubbing, inspiratory lung crackles, central cyanosis & possible pulmonary fibrosis (end-stage).
CXR: bilateral diffuse alveolar infiltrates.
High res. CT: ground glass appearance.
Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases.
Life-threatening condition caused by toxin production. Presents with a characteristic pseudo-membrane, no longer seen in UK due to vaccination.
Diphtheria.
Risk factors include: thrombophilia, contraceptive pill, smoking, HRT, pregnancy, pelvic obstruction, trauma, surgery, immobility (long-haul), malignancy, pulmonary hypertension/vasculitis & obesity.
symptoms: swollen, hot & red, tender leg/calf.
DVT
Investigation may involve ultrasound Doppler scan of leg, CT scan of ileofemoral veins, IVC & pelvis.
Prevention involves: early mobilisation post-op, compression stockings, calf muscle exercises, subcutaneous low mol. wt heparin post op, anticoagulant (dabigatran. rivaroxaban, apixaban).
DVT
Distension & damage to alveoli results in destruction of acinial pouching in alveolar sacs. Results in impaired gas exchange, loss of bronchial support & is irreversible.
Increased air space due to alveolar destruction e.g. by neutrophil elastases or imbalance of proteases & anti-proteases.
Expiratory flow volume curve is of reduced magnitude & more rounded.
Emphysema.
Pus in the pleural space, high-mortality rate.
CXR: “D-SIGN” - loculated pleural fluid bulging out from chest wall.
Treatment includes: amoxicillin + metronidazole until cultured bacteria suggest otherwise.
Empyema
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Type 3 reaction (with a lil bit of type IV). Inhalation of a substance, e.g. mould, bird droppings, chlorine, or medication e.g. sulphasalazine can cause the reaction.
Flu-like illness, involving cough, breathlessness, fever, myalgia & joint pain.
There may be crackles upon auscultation, but no wheeze & a patient may be hypoxic.
CXR: widespread pulmonary infiltrates.
Acute Extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
Chronic form of a hypersensitivity type 3 pneumonitis reaction due to recurrent allergen exposure. Results in gradual breathlessness & cough, lung scarring, crackles and pulmonary fibrosis of the upper lobes.
Restrictive PFTs - low FEV1 and FVC, but a high/normal ratio. TLCO will be low.
Lung biopsy & precipitins (IgG for antigen) can confirm diagnosis.
chronic extrinsic allergic alveolitis
A rare condition that increases the risk of both acute & chronic infections.
Hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Common condition which increases the risk of acute respiratory infections.
IgA deficiency.
An immunoglobulin deficiency which can cause myeloma, lymphoma & metastatic malignancy.
Immunoparesis/immunodeficiency.
Acute onset of fever, malaise, myalgia, headache, cough & fatigue. Self-limiting. Viral infection.
Complications include primary influenza pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media.
Influenza
General term describing any disease process affecting interstitium of the lung. Interference in gas transfer & restrictive lung patterns are characteristic.
Examples: sarcoidosis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis etc.
Symptoms generally vary, but typically include breathlessness and dry cough.
Interstitial lung disease.
Usually preceded by illness, e.g. pneumonia, virus, inhalation of foreign body. High mortality when untreated.
Symptoms: weight loss, lethargy, fatigue, cough, sputum production.
Intrapulmonary abscess.
Treatment may involve removal of a foreign body/ treating an underlying cause, e.g. anaphylaxis.
Administration of mask bag ventilation with high flow O2, cricothyroidotomy & tracheostomy.
Laryngeal obstruction.
Acute bronchitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia & influenza all have what in common?
They are infections of the LRT.
Weight loss, haemoptysis, breathlessness, recurrent pneumonia & hoarseness may suggest what?
Lung cancer.
Cough of long duration, haemoptysis, smoking, breathlessness, weight loss, fatigue, recurrent infection, chest pain, dysphagia to solids & hoarseness are all red flags of which disease?
Lung cancer.
Breathlessness, atrial fibrillation & pericardial effusion can be caused by invasion of which structure?
Invasion of pericardium.
Dysphagia for solids suggests invasion of which structure?
Oesophagus
Weakness of the hands/arms suggests invasion of which structure?
Brachial plexus (most probably by pancoast’s tumours).
Breathlessness and large volumes of pleural effusion suggests invasion of which structure?
Pleural space.
Puffy eyelids, headache and vein distension suggests invasion of which structure?
The SVC - obstructs blood drainage from arms and head.
Chest pain made worse by movement and at night suggests invasion of which structure?
The chest wall, i.e. ribs.
Sudden death due to massive haemoptysis suggests invasion of which structure?
Tumour encasing and eroding an artery,
Slow onset weakness, visual disturbance, headaches (worse in morning) & fits suggests invasion of which structure?
Metastasis to the brain.
Localised pain worse at nigh, and fractures sustained due to trivial mechanical stress suggests invasion of which structure?
Bone
Brain, liver, bone, adrenal glands, lungs, skin have what in common?
They are common metastatic sites of lung cancer.
Which investigation would be used if there was a suspected tumour in the central area of the bronchial tree?
Bronchoscopy
Which investigation would be used if there was a suspected tumour of the pleural surfaces?
Thoracoscopy (deflate lung, visualise & biopsy).
Which investigation would be used if there was a suspected tumour in the hilar/mediastinal structures, & nearby lymph nodes?
endobrachial ultrasound - also enables lymph node sampling.
Which investigation would be used if you wanted to diagnose lung cancer or guide biopsy of suspected peripheral tumours?
CT scan. Assesses tumour size & shows intercranial metastases.
Which investigation would be used if you wanted to stage a cancer, and detect nodal & distant metastases? Or, outline a tumour within areas of lung collapse?
PET scan. Often results in upstaging.
Which investigation would be used if you wanted to avoid use of IV contrast, & required good soft tissue contrast?
MRI. It is however, costly, time consuming and better spatial resolution is achieved with CT.
Treatment of small cell lung cancer
chemotherapy
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer?
Surgery or radical radiotherapy. Less responsive to chemo.
Most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers?
Adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms: runny nose, malaise, dry cough, fever.
Signs: red eyes, Koplik’s spots (white spots with red areola on buccal mucosa), maculopapular rash beining behind the ears & gradually descending.
Complications are more common in the imnmunocompromised & malnourished, and include bacterial pneumonia, bacterial otitis media & encephalitis.
Measles
An uncommon, malignant tumour of pleural lining due to asbestos exposure. Often takes 30-40 years to develop. Incurable.
Breathlessness, chest pain, weight-loss, fever, sweating & cough.
Pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma. Care is palliative, you can pleurodese effusions, radiotherapy/surgery/chemotherapy, but fatal within 2 years.
Massive seeding of mycobacteria via the bloodstream, untreated it is rapidly fatal.
Military tuberculosis.
Acute/chronic rhinitis without IgE involvement (eosinophilia syndrome may be present). Can result from infection, hormone imbalance, vasomotor disturbances & medications.
Non-allergic rhinitis.
Treatment of non-allergic rhinitis.
glucorticoids (inflammation) + H1 & CysLT1 receptor antagonists (block mediator receptors) + vasoconstrictors (reduce nasal blood flow) + sodium cromglycate (anti-allergic) + muscarinic receptor antagonists.
Snoring, dramatic drop in tidal volume and PO2, and an increase in pCO2 that may cause CO2 retention headaches in the morning are symptoms of which syndrome?
(clue - person is overweight).
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
Intermittent collapse of upper airways when sleeping, causing recurrent, episodic arousals. Results in poor quality sleep, daytime drowsiness, & early morning headaches.
Risk factors: obesity, enlarged tonsils, hypothyroidism, alcohol, opiates & benzodiazepines.
Obstructive sleep apnoea.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Remove underlying causes, e.g. alcohol & obesity. Continuous positive airway pressure machine when sleeping.
May be a simple or complicated parapneumonic effusion, or even empyema.
Treat with antibiotics +/- drainage +/- surgery.
Discuss nutrition,
Pleural infection.
Identify the type of parapneumonic effusion:
+ve gram stain, pH <7.2, low glucose, septations & loculations present.
Complicated parapneumonic effusion.
Identify the type of parapneumonic effusion: no +ve gram stain, pH>7.2, normal glucose, no septations or loculations present (ALL MUST APPLY).
Simple parapneumonic effusion, does not have ANY characteristics of complicated.
An occupational, restrictive lung disease caused by the inhalation of mineral dust. Fibrogenic causes: asbestos & silicon. Non-fibrogenic causes: iron (siderosis), tin (stenosis) & barium (baritosis).
Pneumoconiosis.
A non-expanding collection of air in the pleural cavity, with no shift of the heart or mediastinal structures. May result from penetrating injury to the parietal pleura/ rupture of visceral pleura.
Lung tissue recoils towards the hilum.
Pneumothorax.
Increased incidence in tall thin males, smokers (inc. cannabis), and those with underlying lung disease.
Can occur secondary to pulmonary disease or chronic cough causing pleural rupture.
Pneumothorax.
Short of breath, acute onset pleuritic chest pain. Primary are often asymptomatic.
May be hypoxic, tachycardic, chest percussion is hyper-resonant. Chest expansion may be reduced, and trachea will deviate. Reduced ipsilateral breath sounds. Hamman’s sign (pleural click) may occur - rare.
Pneumothorax.
CXR: absent peripheral lung markings, & visible lung edges.
Chest percussion is hyper-resonant & trachea is deviated to left. Patient is complaining of breathlessness and acute pleuritic chest pain.
Pneumothorax.
Emergency - may cause cardiac arrest. Increased pleural pressure pushes other chest organs away from affected side.
Air is permitted into the pleural cavity, but cannot exit. Tracheal deviation and mediastinal shift may occur, or may remain central if pathology is bilateral.
Tension pneumothorax.
May cause hypotension, raised JVP, reduced air entry on affected side & requires immediate needle decompression via a large bore venflon in the second intercostal space anteriorly, mid-clavicular line of affected side.
tension pneumothorax.
Acute inflammation of the lungs in response to inhalation of bacteria, most commonly strep. pneumonia.
Pneumonia.
Inhalation of bacteria which causes alveoli and bronchioles to fill with fibrous exudate. Different causative bacterial, viral & fungal agents. Typically affects lower lobes.
Pneumonia.
Signs/symptoms: malaise, anorexia, sweats, rigors, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, confusion, cough, pleurisy, haemoptysis, dyspnoea, preceding URTI, abdo. pain & diarrhoea. Crackles & pleural rub.
CXR: infiltrates (neutrophils, macrophages & fibrin-rich exudative fluid). Lower lung consolidation due to fluid accumulation.
Pneumonia
Assessed using CURB65 - confusion, urea >7, resp. rate >30/min, BP<90 or diastolic <61, and aged >65.
Pneumonia
An atypical, gram -ve, water-borne bacteria. Common in hotels etc. May lead to acute renal failure. Causes flu-like symptoms, GI upset and shortness of breath.
Legionella pneumonia, may cause legionnaire’s disease.
Treat with levofloxacin/rifampicin/moxifloxacin.
Most common bacterial pneumonia in those with AID/immunosuppression. Symptoms include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath & fatigue.
In HIV patients, they may have a sub-acute low grade fever, but the pneumonia will be more severe.
Pneumocystis jiroveccii (PCP). diagnosis by BAL > sputum > gargle. Immunofluorescence & PCR.
Treat with co-trimoxazole.
Match the treatment to the pneumonia:
- amoxicillin/doxycycline/clarithromycin.
- Oxygen + fluids + bed rest + no smoking.
Mild-community acquired pneumonia, usually strep. pneumonia - gram -ve cocci, alpha-haemolytic.
Match the treatment to the pneumonia:
- Co-amoxiclave + clarithromycin
- If penicillin allergic - levofloxacin + clarithromycin.
Severe community acquired pneumonia.
Match the treatment to the pneumonia:
- IV amoxicillin + metronidazole + gentamicin.
- If penicillin allergic - IV co-trimoxazole + metronidazole +/- gentamicin.
Severe hospital acquired / aspiration pneumonia.
- PO amoxicillin + metronidazole.
Non-severe hospital acquired / aspiration pneumonia.
May result from rheumatoid disease, SLE, systemic sclerosis, asbestos, amiodarone, methotrexate. Terminal disease with a median survival of 4 years following diagnosis.
Symptoms: progressive breathlessness, dry cough.
Signs: finger clubbing & bilateral fine inspiratory crackles.
Pulmonary fibrosis.
CXR: bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.
CT: reticulonodular shadowing, worse at peripheries and lung bases. Possible honey-combing, traction bronchiectasis (irreversible dilation of bronchioles).
Pulmonary fibrosis.
Treatment involves O2 if hypoxic, anti-fibrotic drugs e.g. pirfenidone and nintedanib (which will slow progression, but not cure). Lung transplants may be possible in younger patients.
Otherwise, this is a fatal disease.
Pulmonary fibrosis.
Lodging of an embolus in the pulmonary artery, blocking it. Massive emboli can cause cardiovascular shock, low BP, central cyanosis & sudden death.
Pulmonary embolism.
Pleuritic pain, leg pain/swelling, collapse, haemoptysis & breathlessness.
Patient may experience tachypnoea, tachycardia, cyanosis, fever, pleural rub or effusion, crackles, hypotension.
Pulmonary embolism.
CXR: basal atelectasis, consolidation, pleural effusion.
ECG: acute right-heart strain, T-wave inversion in V1-3.
Raised D-dimers
Pleuritic chest pain, SOB and haemoptysis.
Pulmonary embolism.
What investigation would you perform if you suspected a pulmonary embolism?
CXR and V/Q scan.
What investigation would you perform if you suspected a pulmonary embolism, the patient had a swollen leg but wanted to avoid radiation?
Ultrasound of leg for DVT
What investigation would you perform if you suspected a massive pulmonary embolism or the patients CXR is abnormal due to existing lung disease?
CTPA
What investigation would you perform if you suspected a pulmonary embolism, but the patient is acutely unwell?
Echocardiogram, which will show right heart strain.
Mean pulmonary arterial pressure >25mmHg.
Pulmonary hypertension
May be caused by left ventricular systolic dysfunction(LVSD), mitral regurgitation/stenosis, cardiomyopathy.
Pulmonary venous hypertension.
May be caused by hypoxia due to COPD/ pulmonary fibrosis/ obstructive sleep apnoea etc. Or may arise from multiple pulmonary emboli, vasculitis, drugs, HIV, cardiac left-to-right shunt e.g. ASD and VSD, or may be primary.
Pulmonary hypertension.
The compromisation of blood flow and oxygen to lung tissue resulting in tissue death.
Pulmonary infarction.
Risk factors: abnormal host response arising from immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, an abnormal innate host defence (damage bronchial mucosa, abnormal cilia or abnormal secretion & repeated insult).
Chronic examples include: intrapulmonary abscess, empyema, chronic bronchial sepsis, bronchiectasis & cystic fibrosis.
Pulmonary infection.
Accumulation of fluid in the lung (interstitium & alveolar spaces) causing a restrictive PFT pattern.
May be due to increased hydrostatic pressure, injury to alveolar cells e.g. pneumonia, ARDS.
Pulmonary oedema.
CXR: possible cardiomegaly, upper lobe venous distension, pleural effusion, Kerley b lines, bat-wing opacity (peri-hilar patchy opacification).
Pulmonary oedema.
Due to a relative surfactant deficiency, more common in premature babies.
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
In infants, complications include: sudden deterioration, absent breath sounds.
It is due to a deficiency in surfactant (type 2 alveolar lining cells). Neonates thus require increased effort to expand their lungs, causing physical damage to cells.
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
In adults: may arise from sepsis, diffuse infection (virus/mycoplasma), severe trauma, oxygen. It results in either resolution and fibrosis, or death.
Due to a relative surfactant deficiency.
Adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Conditions which cause hypoxia, e.g. pneumonia, asthma, pneumothorax, PE, pulmonary fibrosis.
Type 1 respiratory failure
Conditions which cause hypercapnia, e.g. COPD, respiratory muscle weakness & pulmonary oedema.
Type 2 respiratory failure
Occurs when gas exchange in the lungs is insufficient to meet metabolic demand. Type 1 and 2.
Respiratory failure.