Emphysema Notes
Write a short note on emphysema.
Answer.
Emphysema
It is defined as the distention of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole with the destruction of alveolar septa.
Predisposing Factors/etiology emphysema.
- Smoking
- Environmental pollution
- Genetic predisposition due to alpha-I antitrypsin deficiency
- Bacterial
- Occupational exposure.
Types of Emphysema:
- Centric – acina
- Pan – acinar
- Paraseptal
- Irregular
“Understanding emphysema treatment through FAQs: Options and challenges explained”
Read And Learn More: General Medicine Question And Answers
Clinical Features emphysema.
There are two types of patients suffering from emphysema.
- Type A refers to pink puffers who have minimal cough and expectoration while dyspnea is prominent and Type B refers to blue bloaters.
- In this, patients have marked blood gas abnormalities though the pulmonary diffusing capacity is within the normal limits
Emphysema Treatment
“Importance of studying emphysema treatment for healthcare professionals: Questions explained”

“Common challenges in managing emphysema effectively: FAQs provided”
Treatment emphysema.
- Chronic sources of infection in the upper respiratory airway be removed.
- Patients should be taken away from cold climate
- Smoking in any form must be stopped
- Breathing exercises be advised
- Respiratory infection be prevented and prompt antibiotic treatment, e.g. ampicillin, amoxicillin.
- B bronchodilators are used, i.e. theophylline and salbutamol.
- In severe respiratory insufficiency, corticosteroids are useful prednisolone
- Oxygen inhalation, intermittently is useful in case of emphysema.
“Factors influencing success with emphysema treatment knowledge: Q&A”

“Steps to explain emphysema treatment: Medications vs lifestyle changes vs surgery: Q&A guide”
Tuberculous Pleural Effsion
Pleural effusion: Abnormal accumulation of fluid in pleural spaces.
- When the amount of fluid is more than 300 mL.
- Tubercularpleuraleffsionoccursduetotuberculosis.
- In tubercular pleural effusion, the pleural fluid is exudative fluid mixed with the blood.
Clinical Features tuberculous pleural effusion.
- Acute form comes in the form of acute pleurisy with constitutional symptoms such as fever, toxemia, loss of appetite, and ill health.
- Acutely developing effusion will produce breathlessness and a dry cough.
- Chronic forms of pleurisy present with the picture of chronic ill health, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite.
“Asymptomatic vs symptomatic effects of ignoring emphysema treatment principles: Q&A”
Physical signs tuberculous pleural effusion.
On Inspection
- Presence of bilaterally symmetrical chest.
- Restrictions of movements of the chest on the side of effusion.
On Palpation
- Shifting of trachea and mediastinum to the opposite side on pushing.
- Diminishing of expansion of the chest on the involved side.
- Absence of vocal fremitus on the involved side.
“Role of oxygen therapy in managing emphysema: Questions answered”
On Percussion Stony has a dull percussion note on the involved side.
On auscultation
- Absence of breath sounds or diminishing of breath sounds over an area of pleural effusion.
- Amphoric bronchial breathing can be heard at the apex of pleural effusion at the interscapular region over the involved side.
- Absence of vocal resonance.
Emphysema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Investigations tuberculous pleural effusion.
- Examination ofpleural flid:
- Pleural fluid is serous or straw-colored and forms cobwebs on standing.
- Fluid is exudates in nature.
- On microscopic examination, a prominent cell type in the fluid is a lymphocyte.
- The Tuberculin test is positive.
- Pleural biopsy show granulomatous lesion.
- The culture for acidfast bacilli is positive.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for tuberculosis is positive.
- Xray chest shows uniform dense opacity with an upward concavity in the lower and lateral part of the hemithorax pushing the lung medially. The sharp angle between the diaphragm and rib cage gets altered.
- ESR is high in tubercular effusion.
- Ultrasound localizes and detects the effusion.
- Biochemical tests:
- Lactate dehydrogenase gets increased in tubercular effusion.
- Adenosine deaminase activity gets increased in tuberculous pleural effusion, i.e. it is more than 40 IU/L.
- Interferon Gamma levels are more than 140 pg/mL.
“Early warning signs of gaps in understanding emphysema treatment basics: Common questions”
Treatment of tuberculous pleural effusion.
In tuberculous pleural effusion, anti-tubercular therapy is started, i.e. all four drugs isonex, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol are given for the first three months, and then three drugs, i.e. Yonex, rifampicin, ethambutol for six months.
- Aspiration of pleural fluid is done for diagnosis, for relieving dyspnea, and if fever and toxemia are not subsiding after 4 weeks of anti-tubercular therapy.
- Chest physiotherapy is done to encourage expansion of the lower chest.
Leave a Reply