Presentation
Shortness of breath developing during exertion. She is a heavy smoker. FEV1/FVC < 70%.
Patient Data
Lucent regions with imperceptible walls involving the upper lobes, and superior segments of the lower lobes bilaterally. Is clear the presence of centrilobular emphysema in the upper zones of the lungs. Also noted small bubbles of paraseptal emphysema.
Case Discussion
This patient is a Stage II: moderate COPD. The diagnosis of COPD is through spirometry.
Pulmonary emphysema is defined as the "abnormal permanent enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles accompanied by destruction of the alveolar wall and without obvious fibrosis".