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Such scar tissue causes an irreversible decrease in oxygen diffusion capacity, and the resulting stiffness or decreased compliance makes pulmonary fibrosis a restrictive lung disease. [14] Pulmonary fibrosis is perpetuated by aberrant wound healing, rather than chronic inflammation. [15]
Fibrothorax may also occur without a clear underlying cause, in which case it is known as idiopathic fibrothorax. A technique called pleurodesis can be used to intentionally create scar tissue within the pleural space, usually as a treatment for repeated episodes of a punctured lung, known as a pneumothorax, or for pleural effusions caused by ...
Complications are not common but include infection, lung abscess, and bronchopleural fistula (a fistula between the pleural space and the bronchial tree). [4] A bronchopleural fistula results when there is a communication between the laceration, a bronchiole, and the pleura; it can cause air to leak into the pleural space despite the placement of a chest tube. [4]
The cause is unknown, hence the term idiopathic. [2] Risk factors include cigarette smoking, acid reflux disease (GERD), certain viral infections, and genetic predisposition. [1] The underlying mechanism involves scarring of the lungs. [1] Diagnosis requires ruling out other potential causes. [3]
Generally, intrinsic causes are from lung parenchyma diseases that cause inflammation or scarring of the lung tissue, such as interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis, or from having the alveoli air spaces filled with external material such as debris or exudate in pneumonitis. [3]
The differential diagnosis includes other types of lung disease that cause similar symptoms and show similar abnormalities on chest radiographs. Some of these diseases cause fibrosis, scarring or honeycomb change. The most common considerations include: chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis; non-specific interstitial pneumonia; sarcoidosis
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