Restrictive Airway Disease

Question 1

Name three causes of thoracic restriction outside of the lungs

Answer 1

• skeletal
• muscle weakness
• abdominal obesity/ascites

Question 2

Name six causes if thoracic restriction inside the lungs

Answer 2

• disease within the lungs
• fluid in the alveolar air spaces
• consolidation of alveolar air spaces
• granulomatous alveolitis
• alveolitis
• carcinomatosis

Question 3

What two areas can lung disease affect?

Answer 3

1. The alveolar structures

2. Pathophysiology (impaired gas exchange)

Question 4

What are the two types of oedema that can occur in the lungs - explain the reason for these

Answer 4

• Cardiac pulmonary oedema due to raised pulmonary venous pressure
• Non cardiac pulmonary oedema - leaky capillaries, tight junctions do not function properly due to sepsis, trauma or travel sickness

Question 5

State three types of consolidation

Answer 5

1. Infective pneumonia
2. Infarction
3. Other e.g. BOOP, drugs, rheumatoid

Question 6

Name two types of granulomatous alveolitis

Answer 6

• extrinsic allergic alveolitis

- sarcoidosis

Question 7

Define alveolitis and state five causes

Answer 7

inflammation of alveoli walls

• drugs
• toxic gases/ fumes
• pulmonary fibrosis
• autoimmune
• dust disease

Question 8

Name four causes of eosinophilic reaction and give specific examples

Answer 8

• drugs - nitrofurantoin
• fungal - aspergillosis
• parasites - toxocara, filaria
• autoimmune - polyarteritis

Question 9

Give six signs/symptoms

Answer 9

1. breathlessness
2. cough but no wheeze
3. finger clubbing
4. inspiratory lung crackles
5. central cyanosis
6. pulmonary fibrosis

Question 10

What is the treatment?

Answer 10

• remove trigger
• treat reversible alveolitis
• treat IPF - anti-fibrotic agents, oxygen, lung transplant