Introduction Obstructive lung diseases consist of a heterogeneous group of chronic respiratory illnesses characterized by airway obstruction and air trapping ( Box 20.1 ). The most common causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis,…
Introduction Industrial and technological advancements have made occupational lung diseases a major cause of work-related illness. The pneumoconioses are a set of lung diseases caused by the repeated inhalation and retention of small particles within the lung. The resultant lung…
Introduction There are innumerable causes of chronic diffuse lung disease. This chapter reviews the common causes of diffuse lung disease, including the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), connective tissue disease (CTD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), sarcoidosis, cystic lung disease, eosinophilic lung disease,…
Introduction Diffuse lung diseases are often detected and initially evaluated on chest radiographs (CXR). A CXR can provide valuable clues regarding pulmonary pathology such as the lung volume, distribution, and characterization of abnormalities. Radiographs assess lung volumes and distribution of…
Introduction The genus Mycobacterium contains numerous acid-fast staining aerobic bacilli that result in a variety of infections in human hosts. Pulmonary infections by Mycobacterium spp. are characterized as tuberculous (TB) mycobacterial infection and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection . Tuberculous Mycobacterial…
Introduction Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been and continues to be a serious health threat around the globe. Despite great advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, such as the aggressive…
Introduction Pneumonia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with tremendous variability in its clinical and imaging manifestations, treatment, and outcomes. Many individuals with mild pneumonias never come to medical attention, but other patients ultimately succumb to infections that…
Introduction In the United States, 25% of trauma-related deaths are secondary to thoracic injuries, which can result from either penetrating trauma or blunt trauma. Penetrating chest trauma is less frequent but deadlier than blunt chest trauma and commonly results from…
Introduction For optimal interpretation of imaging studies done after thoracic surgery, it is essential to understand the surgical techniques and the possible complications. The common surgical procedures that are performed in the lung, pleura, mediastinum, and chest wall are discussed…
Pulmonary Embolus Pulmonary embolus (PE) is a common clinical problem with an annual incidence of 4 to 21 per 10,000 people per year, rising significantly to 1 in 100 patients after 80 years of age. Autopsy studies have shown that…