Overview of the pathology of emphysema in humans.
In summary, emphysema in smokers should not be considered a single entity with predictable clinical and functional abnormalities. Decreases in flow are the ultimate abnormalities seen in COPD with emphysema; however, the pathophysiology of the flow alterations are vastly different in CLE and PLE. Based on the present understanding of emphysema, it could be predicted that the short-term results of pneumonectomy might produce some improvement in flows in CLE but not in PLE. Any improvement, however, may be short-lived, because the new mechanical conditions resulting from the removal of emphysematous lung would destroy the remaining lung at an accelerated rate, thus returning to the prior emphysematous state.
Cosio
M G
MG
Respiratory Division, Royal Victoria Hospital, Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Majó
J
J
D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery