Preferred Label :
emphysema; Definition :
A subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The disease is characterized
by anatomic alterations of the lungs, such as the enlargement of airspaces and destruction
of alveolar walls. [MeSH] Pathology.—Emphysema is characterized by permanently enlarged
airspaces distal to the terminal bronchiole with destruction of alveolar walls (42,43).
Absence of obvious fibrosis was historically regarded as an additional criterion (42),
but the validity of that criterion has been questioned because some interstitial fibrosis
may be present in emphysema secondary to cigarette smoking (56,57). Emphysema is usually
classified in terms of the part of the acinus predominantly affected: proximal (centriacinar,
more commonly termed centrilobular, emphysema), distal (paraseptal emphysema), or
whole acinus (panacinar or, less commonly, panlobular emphysema). CT scans.—The CT
appearance of emphysema consists of focal areas or regions of low attenuation, usually
without visible walls (58). In the case of panacinar emphysema, decreased attenuation
is more diffuse. (See also bullous emphysema, centrilobular emphysema, panacinar emphysema,
paraseptal emphysema.) [Fleischner Society]; Image(s) :
RID4799UMLS CUI (RADLEX) :
C0034067; Source :
Fleischner Society;
Origin ID : RID4799;
Associated condition of
- Currated CISMeF NLP mapping
A subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The disease is characterized
by anatomic alterations of the lungs, such as the enlargement of airspaces and destruction
of alveolar walls. [MeSH] Pathology.—Emphysema is characterized by permanently enlarged
airspaces distal to the terminal bronchiole with destruction of alveolar walls (42,43).
Absence of obvious fibrosis was historically regarded as an additional criterion (42),
but the validity of that criterion has been questioned because some interstitial fibrosis
may be present in emphysema secondary to cigarette smoking (56,57). Emphysema is usually
classified in terms of the part of the acinus predominantly affected: proximal (centriacinar,
more commonly termed centrilobular, emphysema), distal (paraseptal emphysema), or
whole acinus (panacinar or, less commonly, panlobular emphysema). CT scans.—The CT
appearance of emphysema consists of focal areas or regions of low attenuation, usually
without visible walls (58). In the case of panacinar emphysema, decreased attenuation
is more diffuse. (See also bullous emphysema, centrilobular emphysema, panacinar emphysema,
paraseptal emphysema.) [Fleischner Society]
