What does the existence of intra-parenchymal bubbles in the lungs?

There are often technical words mentioned by doctors in applications for review or in our medical records. If some are meaningless to us, others can however hold our attention until we worry more ...

What is intra-parenchymal bubble?

Intra-parenchymal bubble is a cavity containing air (aeric collection) formed in the lung parenchyma. It can be round or oval.

At radiography, a bubble appears as a rounded area, transparent (lucency), well defined, and not vascularized. A bubble intra parenchymal is located in the lung parenchyma.

In which case do we find the intraparenchymal bubbles?

Intra-parenchymal bubbles are formed mainly in the parenchymal damage.

Pulmonary emphysema

It is a disease often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary emphysema is characterized by the appearance of an alteration of alveolar and interstitial lung tissue (peri-alveolar part) walls. There are several forms of emphysema according to the causes and locations. Emphysema may be secondary:

smoking

air pollution

the deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (genetic origin)

Gas exchange is mainly carried out in the alveoli. Alteration of these walls causes a change in lung structure, disruption in oxygen and release carbon dioxide as well as the formation of bubbles aeric the volume and the number varies depending on the severity and inputs the cause.

The alteration of the alveolar walls due to inhaled in the lungs and alveoli accumulated toxic, causing an inflammatory reaction. They emit substances that destroy the cell walls.

The presence of bubbles reduces the gas exchange surface of the alveoli, and is inefficient in its lung breathing function.

Bronchopulmonary infections

Bronchopulmonary infections such as tuberculosis, pulmonary staphylococcal infection (common in infants) may be complicated by intra-parenchymal bubbles.

The bubbles can expand and increase in volume. The treatment depends mainly on the disease in question. At a more advanced stage, the bubbles can be broken, the air content released will form a pneumothorax.