What is alveolar Proteinosis?
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease in which a type of protein builds up in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, making breathing difficult. Pulmonary means related to the lungs.
What is a lung washout?
Whole lung lavage (WLL) is a very specific procedure that uses saline (saltwater) solution to “wash out” the lungs. It’s sometimes called lung washing.
Can pulmonary alveolar proteinosis be cured?
The condition sometimes resolves without treatment. If you have certain mild symptoms, supplemental oxygen therapy may be enough to treat the condition. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor can wash the surfactant out of your lungs with a saline solution.
How is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis treated?
How is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) treated? The mainstay of PAP treatment for a very long time has been therapeutic whole-lung lavage (WLL). This procedure involves cleaning out one lung at a time with saline while the other lung is fed with oxygen.
How is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis diagnosed?
Routine blood tests are usually normal. A diagnosis of PAP is typically supported by results from a chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT scan), which typically reveal extensive white patches within the lungs (ground glass opacity) with superimposed angular lines (reticular densities).
What is lung scraping?
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs. A needle is put through the chest wall into the pleural space. The pleural space is the thin gap between the pleura of the lung and of the inner chest wall. The pleura is a double layer of membranes that surrounds the lungs.
What is the difference between purulent and Mucopurulent?
Sputum which is slightly thicker and cloudy or opaque (mucopurulent). If you have an infection you may see the colour of your sputum getting darker with either a yellow or green tinge. (purulent) This can be a sign to get early advice and medication from your GP or practice nurse.
How is lung washing used for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)?
Lung Washing (Lung Lavage) for Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP). How is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) treated? The mainstay of PAP treatment for a very long time has been therapeutic whole-lung lavage (WLL). This procedure involves cleaning out one lung at a time with saline while the other lung is fed with oxygen.
What is the pathophysiology of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis?
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a disease characterized by the deposition of amorphous lipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli secondary to abnormal processing of surfactant by macrophages. Whole-lung lavage often is performed as the first line of treatment for this disease because it is a …
What is the prognosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)?
What is the prognosis for someone with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)? Treatment such as whole lung lavage (WLL) can provide relief and return to normal activities within days. Oxygen may be needed for the first few days after the procedure until the lungs finish cleaning and clearing on their own.
What is the first line of treatment for alveoli?
Whole-lung lavage often is performed as the first line of treatment for this disease because it is a means to wash out the proteinaceous material from the alveoli and reestablish effective oxygenation and ventilation. Whole-lung lavage is a large-volume BAL that is performed mainly in the treatment of PAP.