Emphysema(Archived) - PubMed (original) (raw)
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In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan.
2025 Mar 28.
Affiliations
- PMID: 29489292
- Bookshelf ID: NBK482217
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Emphysema(Archived)
Parul Pahal et al.
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Excerpt
Pulmonary emphysema, a progressive lung disease, is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has defined COPD as "a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases."
COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD encompasses patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Although these conditions are identified as separate entities, most patients with COPD have features of both.
COPD often coexists with comorbidities that can impact the progression and management of the disease. Emphysema, specifically, is a pathological diagnosis that affects the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole. It is characterized by abnormal and permanent enlargement of lung air spaces, the destruction of the air space walls without fibrosis, and a loss of elasticity in the lung parenchyma.
Copyright © 2026, StatPearls Publishing LLC.
Conflict of interest statement
Disclosure: Parul Pahal declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Disclosure: Akshay Avula declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Disclosure: Muriam Afzal declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Sections
- Introduction
- Etiology
- Epidemiology
- Pathophysiology
- History and Physical
- Evaluation
- Treatment / Management
- Differential Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Complications
- Consultations
- Deterrence and Patient Education
- Pearls and Other Issues
- Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
- Review Questions
- References
References
- Fernandez-Bussy S, Labarca G, Herth FJF. Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Patients with Severe Emphysema. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Dec;39(6):685-692. -PubMed
- Dunlap DG, Semaan R, Riley CM, Sciurba FC. Bronchoscopic device intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2019 Mar;25(2):201-210. -PubMed