Respiratory Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

Small cell lung cancer paraneoplastic syndromes

A

ADH
ACTH - not typical, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, alkalosis and muscle weakness are more common than buffalo hump etc
Lambert-Eaton syndrome

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2
Q

Squamous cell lung cancer paraneoplastic syndromes

A

parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rp) secretion causing hypercalcaemia
clubbing
hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA)
hyperthyroidism due to ectopic TSH

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3
Q

Adenocarcinoma

lung cancer paraneoplastic syndromes

A

gynaecomastia

hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA)

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4
Q

oxygen dissociation curve

Shifts to Left = Lower oxygen delivery

A
HbF, methaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin
Low [H+] (alkali)
Low pCO2
Low 2,3-DPG
Low temperature
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5
Q

oxygen dissociation curve

Shifts to Left = Lower oxygen delivery

What is the L rule

A

Low [H+] (alkali)
Low pCO2
Low 2,3-DPG
Low temperature

Shifts to L → Lower oxygen delivery, caused by

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6
Q

oxygen dissociation curve

Shifts to Right = Raised oxygen delivery

A

Raised [H+] (acidic)
Raised pCO2
Raised 2,3-DPG*
Raised temperature

‘CADET, face Right!’ for CO2, Acid, 2,3-DPG, Exercise and Temperature

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7
Q

What is transfer factor?

A

transfer factor describes the rate at which a gas will diffuse from alveoli into blood. Carbon monoxide is used to test the rate of diffusion. Results may be given as the total gas transfer (TLCO) or that corrected for lung volume (transfer coefficient, KCO)

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8
Q

Causes of a raised TLCO

A
asthma
pulmonary haemorrhage (Wegener's, Goodpasture's)
left-to-right cardiac shunts
polycythaemia
hyperkinetic states
male gender, exercise
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9
Q

Causes of a lower TLCO

A
pulmonary fibrosis
pneumonia
pulmonary emboli
pulmonary oedema
emphysema
anaemia
low cardiac output
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10
Q

conditions may cause an increased KCO with a normal or reduced TLCO

A

pneumonectomy/lobectomy
scoliosis/kyphosis
neuromuscular weakness
ankylosis of costovertebral joints e.g. ankylosing spondylitis

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11
Q

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome)

A

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is now the preferred term for Churg-Strauss syndrome. It is an ANCA associated small-medium vessel vasculitis.

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12
Q

Features of Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome)

A
asthma
blood eosinophilia (e.g. > 10%)
paranasal sinusitis
mononeuritis multiplex
pANCA positive in 60%
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13
Q

Tidal volume

A

volume inspired or expired with each breath at rest

500ml in males, 350ml in females

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14
Q

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) = 2-3 L

A

maximum volume of air that can be inspired at the end of a normal tidal inspiration
inspiratory capacity = TV + IRV

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15
Q

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) = 750ml

A

maximum volume of air that can be expired at the end of a normal tidal expiration

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16
Q

Residual volume (RV) = 1.2L

A

volume of air remaining after maximal expiration
increases with age
RV = FRC - ERV

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17
Q

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

A

the volume in the lungs at the end-expiratory position

FRC = ERV + RV

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18
Q

Vital capacity (VC) = 5L

A

maximum volume of air that can be expired after a maximal inspiration
4,500ml in males, 3,500 mls in females
decreases with age
VC = inspiratory capacity + ERV

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19
Q

Total lung capacity (TLC)

A

sum of the vital capacity + residual volume

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20
Q

Features of Cystic fibrosis

A
short stature
diabetes mellitus
delayed puberty
rectal prolapse (due to bulky stools)
nasal polyps
male infertility, female subfertility
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21
Q

Causes of respiratory alkalosis

A
anxiety leading to hyperventilation
pulmonary embolism
salicylate poisoning*
CNS disorders: stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, encephalitis
altitude
pregnancy
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22
Q

Features of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

A

bronchoconstriction: wheeze, cough, dyspnoea. Patients may have a previous label of asthma
bronchiectasis (proximal)

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23
Q

features of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

A

eosinophilia
flitting CXR changes
positive radioallergosorbent (RAST) test to Aspergillus
positive IgG precipitins (not as positive as in aspergilloma)
raised IgE

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24
Q

Management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

A

oral glucocorticoids

itraconazole is sometimes introduced as a second-line agent

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25
Q

Features of moderate asthma

A

PEFR 50-75% best or predicted
Speech normal
RR < 25 / min
Pulse < 110 bpm

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26
Q

Features of severe asthma

A

PEFR 33 - 50% best or predicted
Can’t complete sentences
RR > 25/min
Pulse > 110 bpm

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27
Q

Features of life threatening asthma

A
PEFR < 33% best or predicted
Oxygen sats < 92%
Silent chest, cyanosis or feeble respiratory effort
Bradycardia, dysrhythmia or hypotension
Exhaustion, confusion or coma
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28
Q

Epidemiology of bronchiolitis

A

most common cause of a serious lower respiratory tract infection in < 1yr olds (90% are 1-9 months, with a peak incidence of 3-6 months). Maternal IgG provides protection to newborns against RSV
higher incidence in winter
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the pathogen in 75-80% of cases.

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29
Q

Basics of bronchiolitis

A

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the pathogen in 75-80% of cases
other causes: mycoplasma, adenoviruses
may be secondary bacterial infection
more serious if bronchopulmonary dysplasia (e.g. Premature), congenital heart disease or cystic fibrosis

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30
Q

Features of bronchiolitis

A

coryzal symptoms (including mild fever) precede:
dry cough
increasing breathlessness
wheezing, fine inspiratory crackles (not always present)
feeding difficulties associated with increasing dyspnoea are often the reason for hospital admission

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31
Q

Bronchiolitis - referral to hospital

A

apnoea (observed or reported)
child looks seriously unwell to a healthcare professional
severe respiratory distress, for example grunting, marked chest recession, or a respiratory rate of over 70 breaths/minute
central cyanosis
persistent oxygen saturation of less than 92% when breathing air.

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32
Q

Bronchiolitis

consider referral to hospital

A

a respiratory rate of over 60 breaths/minute
difficulty with breastfeeding or inadequate oral fluid intake (50-75% of usual volume ‘taking account of risk factors and using clinical judgement’)
clinical dehydration.

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33
Q

Management of bronchiolitis

A

humidified oxygen is given via a head box and is typically recommended if the oxygen saturations are persistently < 92%
nasogastric feeding may be needed if children cannot take enough fluid/feed by mouth
suction is sometimes used for excessive upper airway secretions

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34
Q

Features of sarcoidosis

A

acute: erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, swinging fever, polyarthralgia
insidious: dyspnoea, non-productive cough, malaise, weight loss
skin: lupus pernio
hypercalcaemia: macrophages inside the granulomas cause an increased conversion of vitamin D to its active form (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)

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35
Q

Lofgren’s syndrome

Sarcoidosis

A

an acute form of the disease characterised by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), erythema nodosum, fever and polyarthralgia. It usually carries an excellent prognosis

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36
Q

Mikulicz syndrome

A

there is enlargement of the parotid and lacrimal glands due to sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or lymphoma

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37
Q

Heerfordt’s syndrome

A

(uveoparotid fever) there is parotid enlargement, fever and uveitis secondary to sarcoidosis

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38
Q

What is anti-alpha 1 trypsin deficiency

A

(A1AT) deficiency is a common inherited condition caused by a lack of a protease inhibitor (Pi) normally produced by the liver. The role of A1AT is to protect cells from enzymes such as neutrophil elastase. It classically causes emphysema (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in patients who are young and non-smokers.

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39
Q

Genetics of alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency

A
located on chromosome 14
inherited in an autosomal recessive / co-dominant fashion*
alleles classified by their electrophoretic mobility - M for normal, S for slow, and Z for very slow
normal = PiMM
homozygous PiSS (50% normal A1AT levels)
homozygous PiZZ (10% normal A1AT levels)
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40
Q

Features of alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency

A

patients who manifest disease usually have PiZZ genotype
lungs: panacinar emphysema, most marked in lower lobes
liver: cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in adults, cholestasis in children
obstructive spirometry

41
Q

Management of alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency

A

no smoking
supportive: bronchodilators, physiotherapy
intravenous alpha1-antitrypsin protein concentrates
surgery: lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplantation

42
Q

Step 1 asthma management

A

Short-acting beta agonist (SABA)

43
Q

Step 2 asthma management

A

SABA + low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)

44
Q

Step 3 asthma management

A

SABA + low-dose ICS + leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA)

45
Q

Step 4 asthma management

A

SABA + low-dose ICS + long-acting beta agonist (LABA)

Continue LTRA depending on patient’s response to LTRA

46
Q

Step 5 asthma management

A

SABA +/- LTRA

Switch ICS/LABA for a maintenance and reliever therapy (MART), that includes a low-dose ICS

47
Q

Step 6 asthma management

A

SABA +/- LTRA + medium-dose ICS MART

OR consider changing back to a fixed-dose of a moderate-dose ICS and a separate LABA

48
Q

Step 7 asthma management

A

SABA +/- LTRA + one of the following options:
increase ICS to high-dose (only as part of a fixed-dose regime, not as a MART)
a trial of an additional drug (for example, a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist or theophylline)
seeking advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in asthma

49
Q

Salbutamol mechanism of action

A

Beta receptor agonist
• Short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle through effects on beta 2 receptors
• Used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Salmeterol has similar effects but is long-acting

50
Q

Corticosteroids mechanism of action

A

Anti-inflammatory • Inhaled corticosteroids are used as mainterance therapy
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids are used following an acute exacerbation of asthma or COPD

51
Q

Ipratropium mechanism of action

A

Blocks the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors • Short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
• Used primarily in COPD
• Tiotropium has similar effects but is long-acting

52
Q

Methylxanthines (e.g. theophylline) mechanism of action

A

Non-specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase resulting in an increase in cAMP • Given orally or intravenously
• Has a narrow therapeutic index

53
Q

Montelukast mechanism of action

A

Blocks leukotriene receptors • Usually taken orally

• Useful in aspirin-induced asthma

54
Q

Klebisella pneumoniae

A

is a Gram-negative rod that is part of the normal gut flora. It can cause a number of infections in humans including pneumonia (typically following aspiration) and urinary tract infections.

55
Q

Features of Klebsiella pneumoniae

A

more common in alcoholic and diabetics
may occur following aspiration
‘red-currant jelly’ sputum
often affects upper lobes

56
Q

Prognosis in Klebsiella pneuoniae

A

commonly causes lung abscess formation and empyema

mortality is 30-50%

57
Q

Lower zone fibrosis

A

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
most connective tissue disorders (except ankylosing spondylitis) e.g. SLE
drug-induced: amiodarone, bleomycin, methotrexate
asbestosis

58
Q

Upper zone fibrosis

A

hypersensitivity pneumonitis (also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis)
coal worker’s pneumoconiosis/progressive massive fibrosis
silicosis
sarcoidosis
ankylosing spondylitis (rare)
histiocytosis
tuberculosis

59
Q

Lambert eaton syndrome

A

Muscle weakness secondary to small cell lung cancer
The main symptoms are weakness in the legs, arms, neck and face, as well as problems with automatic body functions, such as controlling blood pressure.

60
Q

Genetics of cystic fibrosis

A

due to a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), which codes a cAMP-regulated chloride channel
In the UK 80% of CF cases are due to delta F508 on the long arm of chromosome 7. Cystic fibrosis affects 1 per 2500 births, and the carrier rate is c. 1 in 25

61
Q

Bacteria that colonise cystic fibrosis patients

A

Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Burkholderia cepacia*
Aspergillus

62
Q

Features of microscopic polyangitis

A

renal impairment: raised creatinine, haematuria, proteinuria
fever
other systemic symptoms: lethargy, myalgia, weight loss
rash: palpable purpura
cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis
mononeuritis multiplex

63
Q

Investigations of microscopic polyangitis

A

pANCA (against MPO) - positive in 50-75%

cANCA (against PR3) - positive in 40%

64
Q

Varenicline

A

a nicotinic receptor partial agonist
should be started 1 week before the patients target date to stop
the recommended course of treatment is 12 weeks (but patients should be monitored regularly and treatment only continued if not smoking)
has been shown in studies to be more effective than bupropion
nausea is the most common adverse effect. Other common problems include headache, insomnia, abnormal dreams
varenicline should be used with caution in patients with a history of depression or self-harm. There are ongoing studies looking at the risk of suicidal behaviour in patients taking varenicline
contraindicated in pregnancy and breast feeding

65
Q

Bupropion

A

a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and nicotinic antagonist
should be started 1 to 2 weeks before the patients target date to stop
small risk of seizures (1 in 1,000)
contraindicated in epilepsy, pregnancy and breast feeding. Having an eating disorder is a relative contraindication

66
Q

Churg strauss vs granulomatosis with polyangititis

A

BOTH - vasculitis, sinusitis, dyspnoea

Churg-Strauss- asthma, eosinophilia, pANCA

Granulomatosis w/ polyangitis- renal failure, haemoptyisis, cANCA

67
Q

Occupational Asthma causes

A
isocyanates - the most common cause
example occupations include spray painting and foam moulding using adhesives
platinum salts
soldering flux resin
glutaraldehyde
flour
epoxy resins
proteolytic enzymes
68
Q

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: summary

A

caused by the increased permeability of alveolar capillaries leading to fluid accumulation in the alveoli, i.e. non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. It is a serious condition that has a mortality of around 40% and is associated with significant morbidity in those who survive.

69
Q

Causes of ARDS

A
infection: sepsis, pneumonia
massive blood transfusion
trauma
smoke inhalation
acute pancreatitis
cardio-pulmonary bypass
70
Q

Clinical features of ARDS

A

dyspnoea
elevated respiratory rate
bilateral lung crackles
low oxygen saturations

71
Q

Criteria of ARDS diagnosis

A

acute onset (within 1 week of a known risk factor)
pulmonary oedema: bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray (‘not fully explained by effusions, lobar/lung collapse or nodules)
non-cardiogenic (pulmonary artery wedge pressure needed if doubt)
pO2/FiO2 < 40kPa (200 mmHg)

72
Q

Upper zone fibrosis causes

A

TB
Silicosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis

73
Q

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency

A

common inherited condition caused by a lack of a protease inhibitor (Pi) normally produced by the liver. The role of A1AT is to protect cells from enzymes such as neutrophil elastase. It classically causes emphysema (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in patients who are young and non-smokers.

74
Q

A1ATD Genetics

A
located on chromosome 14
inherited in an autosomal recessive / co-dominant fashion*
alleles classified by their electrophoretic mobility - M for normal, S for slow, and Z for very slow
normal = PiMM
homozygous PiSS (50% normal A1AT levels)
homozygous PiZZ (10% normal A1AT levels)
75
Q

Extrinsic Allergic alveolitis

A

caused by hypersensitivity induced lung damage due to a variety of inhaled organic particles. It is thought to be largely caused by immune-complex mediated tissue damage (type III hypersensitivity) although delayed hypersensitivity (type IV) is also thought to play a role in EAA, especially in the chronic phase.

76
Q

Examples of extrinsic allergic alveolitis

A

bird fanciers’ lung: avian proteins from bird droppings
farmers lung: spores of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula from wet hay (formerly Micropolyspora faeni)
malt workers’ lung: Aspergillus clavatus
mushroom workers’ lung: thermophilic actinomycetes

77
Q

Surgical contraindications for non-small cell lung cancer

A

assess general health
stage IIIb or IV (i.e. metastases present)
FEV1 < 1.5 litres is considered a general cut-off point*
malignant pleural effusion
tumour near hilum
vocal cord paralysis
SVC obstruction

78
Q

Paraneoplastic syndromes: squamous cell

A

PTHrp, clubbing, HPOA (hypertrophy pulmonary osteoarthropathy)

79
Q

Paraneoplastic syndromes: small cell

A

ADH, ACTH, Lambert-Eaton syndrome

80
Q

Lower zone fibrosis

A

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
most connective tissue disorders (except ankylosing spondylitis) e.g. SLE
drug-induced: amiodarone, bleomycin, methotrexate
asbestosis

81
Q

symptoms of acute mountain sickness

A

headache
nausea
fatigue

82
Q

Management of acute mountain sickness

A

the risk of AMS may actually be positively correlated to physical fitness
gain altitude at no more than 500 m per day
acetazolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) is widely used to prevent AMS and has a supporting evidence base
treatment: descent

83
Q

High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE),

A

HAPE presents with classical pulmonary oedema features

HACE presents with headache, ataxia, papilloedema

84
Q

Management of HAPE/HACE

A

Management of HACE
descent
dexamethasone

Management of HAPE
descent
nifedipine, dexamethasone, acetazolamide, phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors*
oxygen if available

85
Q

Investigations of COPD

A

post-bronchodilator spirometry to demonstrate airflow obstruction: FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70%
chest x-ray: hyperinflation, bullae, flat hemidiaphragm. Also important to exclude lung cancer
full blood count: exclude secondary polycythaemia
body mass index (BMI) calculation

86
Q

normal function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator

A

chloride channel, specifically a cyclic-AMP regulated chloride channel

87
Q

Genetics of Cystic fibrosis

A

In the UK 80% of CF cases are due to delta F508 on the long arm of chromosome 7. Cystic fibrosis affects 1 per 2500 births, and the carrier rate is c. 1 in 25

88
Q

Infective organisms in cystic fibrosis

A

Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Burkholderia cepacia*
Aspergillus

89
Q

Lofgren’s syndrome

A

acute form sarcoidosis characterised by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), erythema nodosum, fever and polyarthralgia.

90
Q

Indications for steroids in sarcoidosis

A

patients with chest x-ray stage 2 or 3 disease who are symptomatic. Patients with asymptomatic and stable stage 2 or 3 disease who have only mildly abnormal lung function do not require treatment
hypercalcaemia
eye, heart or neuro involvement

91
Q

Stages of sarcoidosis on CXR

A
1 = Bilateral Hilar Lymphadenopathy
2 = BHL + infiltrates
3 = infiltrates
4 = fibrosis
92
Q

Poor Prognostic factors in Sarcoidosis

A
insidious onset, symptoms > 6 months
absence of erythema nodosum
extrapulmonary manifestations: e.g. lupus pernio, splenomegaly
CXR: stage III-IV features
black people
93
Q

When to use NIV in COPD (pH)

A

pH in the range of 7.25-7.35 achieve the most benefit

94
Q

When to admit to ITU - COPD pH

A

<7.25

95
Q

A1ATD phenotypes

A

PiMM- no symptoms- normal alleles
PiMZ- MZ has one normal allele and one affected allele - unlikely to develop clinically significant symptoms but increased risk of lung and liver disease
PiZZ - will develop significant symptoms
PiSZ/PiSS - increased risk of developing symptoms over Mz

96
Q

Bronchiolitis obliterans

A

an inflammatory condition that affects the bronchioles. In affected people, the bronchioles may become damaged and inflamed leading to extensive scarring that blocks the airways.

97
Q

Causes of cavitating lung lesions

A

abscess (Staph aureus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas)
squamous cell lung cancer
tuberculosis
Wegener’s granulomatosis
pulmonary embolism
rheumatoid arthritis
aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis

98
Q

Catamenial pneumothorax

A

Monthly chest pain associated with menstrual bleeding - caused by endometrial tissues and is generally encountered in reproductive women. The mean ages are between 32-35 years old.
hortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, and dry cough. It can produce monthly episodes of chest pain which may radiate to the shoulder.

99
Q

Meigs syndrome

A

classical triad of ascites, pleural effusion, and benign ovarian tumour e.g. ovarian fibroma and usually resolves following resection of the tumour.