Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing chest pain and tightness in my chest. The hospital examination suggested a respiratory disease, but the medication hasn't been very effective. Recently, my cough has worsened. Could you please explain the difference between emphysema and bullae?Doctor's answer:
Emphysema is a common cause of the formation of bullae, primarily because emphysema leads to the over-inflation of alveolar tissue, causing excessive expansion, which results in the formation of bullae due to the over-distension of the tissue. Small bullae can often be ignored and monitored periodically. However, if they are too large, surgical intervention under thoracoscopy may be considered, as this can help prevent the development of pneumothorax. For specific evaluation, you can consult a thoracic surgeon, who will provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on your individual condition.