#bronchial casts

[evolving-science]

Patient Reportedly Coughed Up Perfect ‘Cast’ of Own Airway, Shocking Doctors

A fascinating case report in the New England Journal of Medicine has highlighted just how much the lungs can be affected in conditions such as heart failure. They can cause clots made of blood, mucus, or both to accumulate in the branching structures that normally supply the organs with oxygen. These objects can even be coughed up as the patient’s system tries to expel the blockage from the lungs.

Is it possible to cough up a lung? Probably not. But, it appears that it is possible to expectorate a perfect impression of it!

[punkrockgaia]

My Heartfelt Apologies in Advance

The most disgusting thing I learned about in nursing school last semester was something called bronchial casts, which you get from having something called plastic bronchitis. Horrendously disgusting pictures after the jump. Seriously, they are nasty nasty pics.

These are bronchial casts. They are formed when rubbery phlegm collects in your lungs, and then you cough up a little model of your bronchi, in rubbery phlegm. I don't know how much respiratory therapists get paid, but it is not enough if they have to see this stuff. I'm not easily grossed out, I mean I've seen all manner of poop, pressure ulcers, etc., but this just seriously makes me queasy. I just thought I'd share.