Lung crackles in bronchiectasis.

The inspiratory timing of lung crackles in patients with bronchiectasis was compared with the inspiratory timing of the lung crackles in chronic bronchitis and alveolitis. In severe obstructive chronic bronchitis the lung crackles are typically confined to early inspiration while in alveolitis the lung crackles continue to the end of inspiration but may begin in the early or the mid phase of inspiration. In uncomplicated bronchiectasis on the other hand, the lung crackles typically occur in the early and mid phase of inspiration, are more profuse, and usually fade by the end of inspiration. In addition in bronchiectasis, crackles are also usually present in expiration, they are gravity independent and become less profuse after coughing.

Respiratory function changes after asbestos pleurisy.

Six patients with radiographic evidence of diffuse pleural thickening after industrial asbestos exposure are described. Five had computed tomography of the thorax. All the scans showed marked circumferential pleural thickening often with calcification, and four showed no significant evidence of intrapulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis). Lung function testing showed reduction of the inspiratory capacity and the single-breath carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO). The transfer coefficient, calculated as the TLCO divided by the alveolar volume determined by helium dilution during the measurement of TLCO, was increased. Pseudo-static compliance curves showed markedly more negative intrapleural pressures at all lung volumes than found in normal people. These results suggest that the circumferential pleural thickening was preventing normal lung expansion despite abnormally great distending pressures. The pattern of lung function tests is sufficiently distinctive for it to be recognised in clinical practice, and suggests that the lungs are held rigidly within an abnormal pleura. The pleural thickening in our patients may have been related to the condition described as "benign asbestos pleurisy" rather than the interstitial fibrosis of asbestosis.