Respiratory System PATHOLOGY BMS CLASS

Diagnostic Tests and Measurements

• Arterial blood gas (ABG) evaluates partial pressure of gases in blood and acid-base balance.
• Spirometry measures airflow and lung function, including the volume and speed of air inhaled and exhaled.
• Chest X-ray (CXR) primarily images the lungs and can help identify pneumonias, tumors, or fluid accumulation.
• Sputum analysis serves to identify pathogens causing respiratory infections and assess lung health.
• CT imaging is primarily used for detailed imaging of the lungs and mediastinum.

Clinical Procedures and Indicators

• A pleural biopsy is performed to determine the nature of pleural effusions or suspected malignancies.
• A pleural biopsy helps differentiate between benign and malignant conditions in the pleura.
• The physiological hallmark of asthma is reversible airway obstruction due to bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation.

Respiratory Conditions and Risk Factors

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is diagnosed through patient history, physical examination, and spirometry.
• The characteristic feature of chronic bronchitis is a chronic productive cough with mucus production.
• Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea often includes lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or oral appliances.
• Common treatment for asthma involves inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and avoidance of triggers.

Pathophysiology and Etiology

• The major abnormality in cystic fibrosis involves thick, viscous secretions affecting mucous glands, particularly in the lungs and pancreas.
• Most common cause of lung cancer is smoking, contributing to malignant transformation of lung tissue.
• Noncaseating granulomas in various organs are characteristic of sarcoidosis.

Infections and Causative Agents

• Acute bronchitis is primarily caused by viral infections, with the common cold being the leading etiology.
• Viral organisms not commonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia include those outside the respiratory viral spectrum, such as rotaviruses.

Lung Cancer Specifics

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases, with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being the most common subtypes.
• Small Cell Carcinoma (SCLC) comprises about 10-15% of lung cancers; it is aggressive and often associated with extensive disease.
• Combined pattern lung cancers feature more than one type histologically and account for a small percentage of overall lung cancers.

Symptoms and Manifestations

• Primary manifestation of Pancoast-Tobias Syndrome includes shoulder pain and Horner's syndrome due to tumors at the lung apex.
• Ocular manifestations associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) include conditions such as glaucoma and retinal problems.
• Symptoms not commonly associated with lung neoplasms include gastrointestinal disturbances, which are unrelated to respiratory pathology.