Respiratory System Pathologies Flashcards
Asthma
Widespread narrowing of the airways develops because of an increased responsiveness of the trachebronchial tree to various stimuli (allergens).
Imaging appearance: No evidence unless during an acute attack - bronchial narrowing/hyperlucent lungs.
Treatment: Prophylactic antibiotics, bronchial dilators, expectorants.
Atelectasis
Condition in which there is diminished air within the lung associated with reduced lung volume. Regardless of the precise cause, air cannot enter the part of the lung supplied by the obstructed bronchus. As the air trapped in the lung is absorbed into the bloodstream, the lung collapses.
Imaging appearance: Locally increased density; platelike streaks
Treatment: Positioning of the patient, incentive spirometry.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis may be a complication of respiratory infection or the result of long-term exposure to air pollution or cigarette smoking.
Imaging appearance: No image change in 50%. Increased bronchovascular markings, hyperinflation, depressed diaphragm.
Treatment: Prophylactic antiobiotics, broncial dilators, no cure.
Cystic fibrosis
Hereditary disease characterized by the secretion of excessively viscous mucus by all the exocrine glands; it is caused by a defective gene in the middle of chromosome 7.
Imaging appearance: Irregular thickening of linear markings throughout the lung, hyperinflation.
Treatment: Prophylactic antibiotics, chest physiotherapy, bronchodilators.
Carcinoma of lungs
Malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung
Imaging appearance: Mass
Treatment: Radiation therapy, chemotherapy.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic obstruction of the airways leads to an ineffective exchange of respiratory gases and makes breathing difficult. In many cases, two processes coexist to cause the obstructive process; chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Treatment: Treatment for processes present.
Lung abscess
Necrotic area of pulmoary parenchyma containing purulent (puslike) material.
Imaging appearance: Encapsulated opaque mass with air-fluid level.
Treatment: Appropriate antibiotic for specific organism.
Emphysema
Obstructive and destructive changes in small airways lead to a dramatic increase in the volume of air in the lungs.
Imaging appearance: pulmonary hyperinflation, bulla formation, flattened diaphragm, radiolucent retrosternal space.
Treatment for symptoms, no cure.
Empyema
The presence of infected liquid or frank pus in the pleural space.
Imaging appearance: Lesion- loculated fluid; possible air-fluid level.
Treatment: Needle aspiration with possible drain placement.
Tuberculosis
Primary.
Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a rod-shaped bacterium with a protective waxy coat that permits it to live outside the body for a long time.
Imaging appearance: varies between the four types.
Treatment: Two-drug regimen for 2 months or longer.
Hemothorax
Collection of blood within the chest.
Imaging appearance: Similar to a pleural effusion.
Treatment: Drainage for symptomatic therapy, etc.
Lung abscess
Necrotic area of pulmonary parenchyma containing purulent (puslike) material.
Imaging appearance: Encapsulated opaque mass with an air-fluid level.
Treatment: Appropriate antibiotic for specific organism.
Pulmonary emboli
Sudden blockage of a major blood vessel (artery) in the lung, usually by a clot.
Imaging appearance: Serial images demonstrating progressive enlargement of the affected vessel.
Treatment: Anticoagulants, thrombolytics, vena cava filter placement.
Pleural effusion
Accumulation of fluid in the pleural.
Imaging appearance: Fluid level- best seen on lateral decubitus.
Treatment: Thoracentesis to remove the fluid.
Intrabronchial foreign body
Most aspirated bodies are not opaque and can be diagnosed only by observation of secondary signs in the lungs caused by partial or complete bronchial obstruction.
Imaging appearance: Appears as atelectasis with possible shift
