Centriacinar Emphysema

Centriacinar or centrilobular emphysema

It is the most common type of emphysema characterised by initial involvement of resporatory bronchioles that is the central or proximal part of acinus. This is usually coexists with chronic bronchitis.

Etiopathogenesis :

1. Smoking

2. Coal mines worker

3. Pneumoconiosis ( dust particles that can cause any lung disease)

Morphologically

Grossly : 

1. Lesions are more common and more severe in the upper lobes of the lungs.

2. Cut surface shows -

• Distended air spaces in the centre of the lobules surrounded by a rim of normal lung parenchyma in the same lobules.
• The lobules are separated from each other by fine fibrous tissue septa.
• Large amount of black pigment present in the affected part.

3. In more severe cases, distal part of acini are also involved.

Microscopically :

1. Distension and destruction of the respiratory bronchiole in the centre of the lobules, surround peripherally by uninvolved alveoli.

2. Acinus of terminal bronchioles shows chronic inflammation and are narrowed.



                                                                  Source : Textbook of pathology ( Harsh Mohan ) 7th edition

Related Posts -

• Emphysema
• Centriacinar Emphysema
• Panacinar Emphysema
• Para-septal Emphysema
• Irregular Emphysema
• Mixed Emphysema