URT pathology Flashcards
What anatomy forms the URT?
Nose Naso-pharynx Larynx Paranasal sinueses Eustachian tube Middle ear
What defence mechanisms does the URT have?
filtration of 10-20,000L air per day Muco-cillary transport system Cough/sneeze/gag/swallow reflex Richly vascularised/erectile MALT (Waldeyer's ring) White blood cells and IgA secretion
What conditions have abnormal muco-ciliary transport system?
PCD
Kartagener’s syndrome
bronchiectasis
infertility
What are the causes of acute rhinitis?
viruses, bacteria, allergens (season and perennial vasomotor rhinitis), occasionally fungi
What are the effects of acute rhinitis (common cold)?
inflammation- congested, oedematous, rhinorrhoea - watery or mucoid or muco-purulent
What happens in chronic rhinitis?
atrophy of mucous glands and surface epithelium, squamous metaplasia, fibrosis
What is atopic or allergic rhinitis?
hayfever
- caused by allergens and mediated by type I and type III hypersensitivity reactions - may be associated with eczema and asthma
What are nasal polyps?
result from either chronic infective or allergic inflammation
= polypoid oedematous masses of connective tissue infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells esp lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophil polymorphs
usually bilateral or inverted papilloma
What are the causes and effects of acute sinusitis
Usually a complication of acute rhinitis with blocking of the ostium. Less commonly due to dental sepsis.
May get secondary bacterial infection.
same causes a rhinitis
effects: mucocoele or empyema, orbital cellulitis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, cerebral abscess
What can chronic sinusitis cause?
nasal and naso-sinal polyps
What are the acute causes of pharyngitis?
viruses
bacteria
e.g haemophilus, diphtheria, TB, gonnorhoea, fungi
What are the effects of acute pharyngitis?
tonsilitis retropharyngeal abscess peritonisillar abscess cervical adenitis parapharyngeal abscess ludwig's angina
What is chronic sinusitis?
continuing irritation from another source
What is granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, wegener’s granulomatosis)?
cardinal triad
- giant cell transformation
- arteritis/phlebitis
- zonal necrosis with karyorrhexis/leukocytoclasis
What are the different organs/systems that GPA affects?
nose and paranasal sinuses
Lungs
kidneys (75%)
other organs - isolated or systemic
limited form = lungs only
What are the signs and symptoms of GPA and who does it usually affect?
Symptoms = numerous and varied based on the fact its a multi system disease
Signs:
- ulcers, sores crusting in and around the nose, with destruction of nasal cartilage, rhinorrhoea, often bloody
subglottic stenosis (20%) causing hoarseness, stridor, dyspnoea or cough
chronic ear infections
haemoptysis
haematuria
What investigations should be carried out for GPA?
FBC, ESR, U&Es Anti-neutrophil antibodies (C-ANCA, P-ANA (90%)) - low specificity Urinanalysis- protein, blood, casts Nasal endoscopy Lung function tests CXR Biopsy
What are the treatments for GPA?
Drugs
- steroids, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azothioprine, cyclosporin,TNF trials
Surgery
What are the complications and prognosis of GPA?
Complications:
- mechanical = nasal septum perforation/deformity, airway stenosis
- Functional = respiratory failure, renal failure
Prognosis
- untreated: 50% mortality at 5 yrs
- treated: 90% will achieve long term remission
renal function determinant