Emphysema

(emfiz-e' -mah). The abnormal collection of air in the connective ti ue of a part, causing swelling and crepitation, E., Cutaneous, that occurring in the connective ti ues beneath the skin, usually of the face. E., Gangrenous. See Edema , Malignant. E., Interlobular, a form of emphysema following the course of the interlobular septa. This condition is due to traumatism, as after tracheotomy, or in direct injury to the lungs. E., Pulmonary, a chronic condition of the lungs in which there is a dilatation of the alveoli with destruction of the alveolar walls, resulting in a lo of the normal elasticity of the lung-ti ue. This is a ociated with more or le marked dyspnea, with hacking cough, and defective aeration of the blood, giving rise to a certain degree of cyanosis. The chest becomes full and round ' ' barrel-shaped ' ' and a line of distended veins may often be seen surrounding the body at the lower margin of the ribs, constituting the so-called " emphysematous girdle." There is a hyper-resonant note over the chest, with feeble inspiratory sound and numerous rales of all kinds. Hypertrophy and dilatation of the right heart are frequent complications. The margins of the lungs are often the seat of large bullae due to extensive destruction of the alveolar ti ue. The most frequent causes of emphysema are whooping cough and chronic lung-affections attended with severe coughing-spells. E., Surgical. See Aeroderm ectasia.