bullous emphysema

bul·lous em·phy·se·ma

emphysema in which the enlarged airspaces are 1 to several cm in diameter, often visible on chest radiographs. Thin-walled air sacs, under tension, compress pulmonary tissue, either single or multiple; sometimes amenable to surgical resection with improvement in pulmonary function.

bullous emphysema

single or multiple large cystic alveolar dilations of lung tissue. Also called cystic emphysema.

bul·lous em·phy·se·ma

(bul'ŭs em'fi-sē'mă)

Emphysema in which the enlarged airspaces are up to several cm in diameter, often visible on chest radiographs. Thin-walled air sacs under tension compress pulmonary tissue, either single or multiple.

bullous emphysema

Acute overinflation of the lungs with breakdown of the alveoli to form larger air spaces, often due to strong inspiratory efforts to overcome obstruction in the air passages (bronchi).

bullous

pertaining to or characterized by bullae.

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bullous emphysema

pulmonary emphysema characterized by the presence of subpleural and interlobular bullae.

bullous epidermolysis

see epidermolysis bullosa.

bullous pemphigoid

see bullous pemphigoid.

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emphysema

a pathological accumulation of air in tissues. The air may derive from a skin laceration and be drawn in by the movements of muscles. A discontinuity of the tracheal mucosa is a common cause, either by way of laceration or ulceration. Extension from a pulmonary lesion is also common. The syndrome resulting depends on the location of the air. See also pulmonary emphysema and subcutaneous emphysema (below).

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acute bovine pulmonary emphysema

see atypical interstitial pneumonia.

alveolar emphysema

see pulmonary emphysema (below).

bullous emphysema

emphysema in which bullae form in areas of lung tissue so that these areas do not contribute to respiration.

conjunctival emphysema

may occur after head trauma which permits escape of air from the paranasal sinuses.

fetal emphysema

see emphysematous/putrescent fetus.

generalized emphysema

widespread distribution of air, including subcutaneous tissues, seen with pneumomediastinum.

hypoplastic emphysema

pulmonary emphysema due to a developmental abnormality, resulting in a reduced number of alveoli, which are abnormally large.

interlobular emphysema

accumulation of air in the septa between lobules of the lungs.

interstitial emphysema

presence of air in the peribronchial and interstitial tissues of the lungs.

intestinal emphysema

a condition marked by accumulation of gas under the tunica serosa of the intestine.

lobar emphysema

emphysema involving less than all the lobes of the affected lung.

mediastinal emphysema

see pneumomediastinum.

orbital emphysema

may occur after trauma to the head which permits escape of air from the paranasal sinuses; appears as swelling with crepitus under the conjunctiva or periocular skin.

panacinar emphysema, panlobular emphysema

generalized obstructive emphysema affecting all lung segments, with atrophy and dilatation of the alveoli and destruction of the vascular bed.

pulmonary emphysema

distention of the lung caused by overdistention of alveoli and rupture of alveolar walls (alveolar emphysema) and in some cases escape of air into the interstitial spaces (interstitial emphysema). It is a common pathological finding in many diseases of the lung in all species, but also occurs independently, especially in horses, as a principal lesion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also a prominent lesion in bovine atypical interstitial pneumonia. It is always secondary to a primary lesion which effectively traps an excessive amount of air in the alveoli. It is characterized clinically by cough, dyspnea, forced expiratory effort and poor work tolerance. A double expiratory effort is a characteristic sign—hence broken wind.

subconjunctival emphysema

occurs with fractures involving the paranasal sinuses.

subcutaneous emphysema

air or gas in the subcutaneous tissues. The characteristic lesion is a soft, mobile swelling which crackles like stiff paper when palpated. There is no pain, nor heat and no ill effects unless the pharyngeal area is sufficiently involved to cause asphyxia.

surgical emphysema

subcutaneous emphysema following operation.

unilateral emphysema

emphysema affecting only one lung, frequently due to congenital defects in circulation.

vesicular emphysema

see panacinar emphysema (above).