Overview Sjögren’s-associated interstitial lung disease (Sjögren’s-ILD) is a significant extra-glandular manifestation of primary Sjögren’s disease (pSS), occurring in ~9–20% of patients clinically, with subclinical involvement detectable in up to 50% on HRCT. It may precede sicca symptoms or develop late in the disease course. The most common ILD pattern is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), followed […]

Overview Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is one of the most common and severe internal organ manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc), occurring in up to 50–60% of patients on HRCT, with clinically significant disease in ~25–30%. It is a major cause of SSc-related mortality. The most frequent histopathological pattern is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), […]

Overview EGPA (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a rare, small-to-medium vessel necrotizing vasculitis characterized by asthma, eosinophilia, and extravascular granulomas. It commonly affects the lungs, skin, peripheral nerves, and heart. Annual incidence: ~1–3 per million; peak onset in 40s–60s; no significant gender bias. Strongly associated with MPO-ANCA positivity in ~40–60% of patients; others are ANCA-negative. Physiology […]

Overview Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Wegener’s granulomatosis) is a rare, chronic, systemic necrotising vasculitis affecting small-to-medium-sized vessels, characterised by granulomatous inflammation, necrotising vasculitis, and tissue destruction, primarily involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. It falls under the ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). Peak incidence is in the 5th–6th decade, with slight male predominance and […]

AuthorMegan MinerArmando Faigl Overview Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, is a contagious, acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In babies, the infection can sometimes lead to pneumonia and occasionally brain damage and can even be life threatening. Older children and adults can get whooping cough and can spread it to others, […]

Overview  Acute Respiratory failure causes hypoxia and/or impaired ventilation with hypercapnia, leading to severe hypoxemia and rapid deterioration. Two main types of respiratory failure: Aetiology and Risk Factors CAUSES OF ACURE RESPIRATORY FAILURE Type I Type II Pneumonia COPD ARDS Life-threatening asthma Interstitial lung Disease Drug Intoxication (opioids) Acute Pulmonary Oedema CVA/trauma Asthma Primary muscles disorders […]

Overview Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common infections in children. OM is inflammation of the middle ear and is usually secondary to bacterial and/or viral infection. It is a complication of eustachian tube dysfunction that occurred during an acute viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The URTI causes effusion in the middle ear […]

Overview Interstitial Lung Disease is also known as Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD). A Heterogeneous collection of restrictive lung conditions (>100) that primarily (or at least initially) disrupt the pulmonary interstitium. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) are grouped together as they share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical features and radiological findings. Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology Simplified Anatomy of the alveolus and pulmonary […]

Overview Bronchiectasis was a common disabling and fatal condition in the pre-antibiotic era and remains more common in medically underserved regions of the world. Irreversible dilatation of airways due to in ammatory destruction of airway walls resulting from persistently infected mucus. Bronchiectasis usually affects medium sized airways Aetiology and Risk Factors Aetiology The most common […]

Overview Sleep apnea syndrome is an extremely common medical disorder associated with important morbidity. Sleep Apnea and can be classified as: This page will mainly focus on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology Aetiology and Risk Factors Risk Factors  Other risk factors Clinical Manifestation Clinical Features Typically an obese middle ages man who presents because of snoring and feeling […]

Overview Community acquired pneumonia occur in individuals who are not in hospital (or have been in hospital in the past 48 hours) and who are not significantly immunocompromised. The World Health Organization estimates that lower respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious cause of death in the world. Choice of antibiotics are usually empirical […]

Overview Asthma is a chronic airway inflammation disorder due to complex interactions between inflammatory cells, mediators and airway cells. In young children in whom lung function testing is not feasible, including most preschool children, asthma is defined by the presence of variable respiratory symptoms. Asthma is one of the most common causes of presentation to the Emergency […]

Overview Bronchiolitis is often a viral cause mainly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Bronchiolitis is the most common respiratory tract infection of neonates and is usually self-limiting. A major source of confusion of treatment is differentiating a viral bronchiolitis to asthma. In summary bronchiolitis is usually seen in infants <2yo. Asthma is seen in older children. Respiratory […]

Clinical features of asthma such as dyspnoea, chest tightness and wheezing can mimic other respiratory conditions. It is important to take a careful history and examination and ideally demonstrate reversible airflow obstruction. Other clinical features of asthma arise during periods of bronchoconstriction (ie. exercise, smoking, stress, cold air). Exacerbation of asthma confounds the breathing difficulty, cough and wheeze in patients.

Overview Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women. Lung cancer can be divided into small cell and non-small cell carcinoma. Small cell lung carcinoma presents late stage and has poorer prognosis.  A solitary pulmonary nodule measuring 8 mm or less can be followed radiographically. For larger lesions, a biopsy, whether […]

Overview Pulmonary embolism occurs most often from a dislodged thrombus from the lower limb (DVT). The embolus travels towards the lung and becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery resulting in infarction of the lung tissue. Summary of Pulmonary Embolism The mortality of diagnosed and treated PE is 7%. Many more people die from undiagnosed PE. […]

Overview Pneumonia is infection in the lower respiratory tract and is characterised by fevers, purulent sputum, leucocytosis, low oxygen levels and new lung infiltrates (consolidation) on radiographic imaging. The infection is identified by the site of consolidation. Consolidation is where the lung tissue is filled with fluid (ie. water, blood, pus, microbes). Types of pneumonia […]

Overview The diagnosis of COPD is usually limited to individuals who have chronic airflow obstruction associated with tobacco smoke or some other noxious inhalant, and it is usually not difficult to distinguish it from other causes of chronic airflow obstruction. The most commonly associated clinical disorders associated with COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Aetiology […]