Emphysema

Abstract

Emphysema (Greek word meaning to inflate/to blow) is an increase in the size of airspace distal to the terminal bronchiolus, that is, hyperinflation of the alveoli due to the destruction of the gas-exchanging structures: alveolar walls, alveolar ducts, and respiratory bronchioles with coalescence of airspaces into the abnormal, much larger airspaces. The main consequences are the reduction of alveolar surface for gas exchange and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the destruction and disappearance of respiratory bronchioles with decreased total small airway diameter sum. Both decreased alveolar surface for gas exchange and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lead to difficulty in breathing with dyspnea varying from mild to very severe. Two main pathohistologic types of emphysema are centriacinar and panacinar. Centriacinar emphysema involves the central portion of the acinus, and inflation mainly involves respiratory bronchioles and adjacent alveoli, and not all alveoli inside the acinus are involved. Panacinar (panlobular) emphysema is characterized by uniform enlargement and destruction of alveoli throughout the entire acinus. The panacinar emphysema is rare and its most common cause is hereditary alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The centriacinar emphysema is the most frequent emphysema. It is mainly caused by smoking but also by coal dust exposure and advanced age.