Pulmonology High-Yield Content

This is a high-yield overview of important Pulmonology concepts, designed for quick learning in about 1 hour.

Overview

Pulmonology is the branch of medicine that deals with the respiratory system, including diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. It focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of respiratory diseases.

Key High-Yield Topics

1. Asthma

  • Definition: Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways causing wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing.
  • Diagnosis: Clinical presentation + spirometry (FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7).
  • Treatment: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), short-acting beta agonists (SABA) for acute relief.
Asthma Diagram

2. Pneumonia

  • Definition: Infection of the lungs leading to inflammation of the alveoli.
  • Diagnosis: Clinical features, chest X-ray, sputum culture.
  • Treatment: Empiric antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone + azithromycin) until culture results are available.
Pneumonia Chest X-ray

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Definition: Progressive disease characterized by airflow limitation (often caused by smoking).
  • Diagnosis: Spirometry, low FEV1/FVC ratio.
  • Treatment: Smoking cessation, bronchodilators (SABAs, LABAs), corticosteroids.
COPD Lung Image

4. Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

  • Definition: Blockage of a pulmonary artery, often due to a clot (DVT).
  • Diagnosis: CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), D-dimer test.
  • Treatment: Anticoagulation (e.g., heparin), thrombolytics for severe cases.
Pulmonary Embolism CTA

5. Lung Cancer

  • Definition: Malignant tumor arising from the epithelial cells of the lungs.
  • Diagnosis: Chest X-ray, CT scan, biopsy for confirmation.
  • Treatment: Surgery (if localized), chemotherapy, immunotherapy.
Lung Cancer X-ray

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with the following questions:

Q1: What is the first-line treatment for an acute asthma exacerbation?

  • A. Antibiotics
  • B. Inhaled corticosteroids
  • C. Short-acting beta-agonists
  • D. Oxygen therapy

Q2: Which diagnostic test is most commonly used to confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia?

  • A. CT scan
  • B. Chest X-ray
  • C. Spirometry
  • D. Sputum culture

Q3: What is the hallmark of COPD diagnosis on spirometry?

  • A. Decreased FEV1/FVC ratio
  • B. Increased FEV1/FVC ratio
  • C. Normal FEV1/FVC ratio
  • D. Decreased total lung capacity (TLC)