Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (3)

Pulmonary emphysema
Print Captions
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Pulmonary emphysema

Print Images (3)
Contributors: Joon B. Kim MD, Mary Anne Morgan MD, Michael W. Winter MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alerts and Notices

Synopsis

Pulmonary emphysema : Chest pain, Cough, Cigarette smoking, Dyspnea, Wheezing, HR increased, RR increased, Bibasilar crackles
Pulmonary emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by the loss of individual alveolar wall structures, resulting in larger and less efficient alveoli with air trapping. Shortness of breath begins gradually; it may take years for affected patients to seek treatment. Other findings include wheezing, cough, chest pain, cyanosis, and increased heart rate.

Emphysema is a chronic medical condition. While pharmacologic and lifestyle changes may improve symptoms, in general, patients have a gradual increase in symptoms and burden of disease with time. The primary cause is smoking and/or inhalation of other pollutants. Pulmonary emphysema can also be secondary to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which leads to unopposed elastase activity in the lung. Treatments include lifestyle changes, supplemental oxygen, medications, and possibly surgery.

Codes

ICD10CM:
J43.9 – Emphysema, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
87433001 – Pulmonary emphysema

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:05/07/2019
Last Updated:05/12/2019
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Pulmonary emphysema
Captions Print   View all Images (3)
(with subscription)
A medical illustration showing key findings of Pulmonary emphysema : Chest pain, Cough, Cigarette smoking, Dyspnea, Wheezing, HR increased, RR increased, Bibasilar crackles
Imaging Studies image of Pulmonary emphysema - imageId=8353597. Click to open in gallery. caption: '<span>Axial non-contrast CT image of the chest viewed in lung windows in the lower lungs. CT image demonstrates several well-defined regions of low attenuation, both centrilobular (straight black arrow) and paraseptal (straight white arrow) distribution consistent with emphysema. Vessels course through several of these regions (curved black arrow), confirming that these areas reflect parenchymal loss rather than cysts (also note the lack of walls). There is severe airways thickening and mucous plugging, compatible with chronic bronchitis.</span>'
Axial non-contrast CT image of the chest viewed in lung windows in the lower lungs. CT image demonstrates several well-defined regions of low attenuation, both centrilobular (straight black arrow) and paraseptal (straight white arrow) distribution consistent with emphysema. Vessels course through several of these regions (curved black arrow), confirming that these areas reflect parenchymal loss rather than cysts (also note the lack of walls). There is severe airways thickening and mucous plugging, compatible with chronic bronchitis.

+1 More images of Pulmonary emphysema with subscription

Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.