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Editorial
. 2011 Oct 27;365(17):1637-9.
doi: 10.1056/NEJMe1110635.

Emphysema--a disease of small airways or lung parenchyma?

Wayne Mitzner
Editorial

Emphysema--a disease of small airways or lung parenchyma?

Wayne Mitzner. N Engl J Med. .
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Two models explaining the etiology of parenchymal airspace enlargement in COPD. Panel A. Alveolar inflammation leads to destruction of alveolar walls and the elastic connective tissue fibers that link the acinus to the terminal airways. This allows the terminal bronchioles to recoil and obstruct. Panel B. Inflammation in the terminal bronchioles causes wall thickening, obstruction, and ultimate severing or stretching of the elastic connective tissue fibers. This loss of support for the distal acinus leads to folding (and ultimate destruction) of unsupported alveolar walls and enlargement of the duct.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

  • Small-airway obstruction and emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
    McDonough JE, Yuan R, Suzuki M, Seyednejad N, Elliott WM, Sanchez PG, Wright AC, Gefter WB, Litzky L, Coxson HO, Paré PD, Sin DD, Pierce RA, Woods JC, McWilliams AM, Mayo JR, Lam SC, Cooper JD, Hogg JC. McDonough JE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2011 Oct 27;365(17):1567-75. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1106955. N Engl J Med. 2011. PMID: 22029978 Free PMC article.

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