bullous emphysema

Bullous emphysema is a condition characterized by the destruction of lung tissue, leading to abnormally large air spaces, particularly in the upper lungs. This occurs when the walls of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, are damaged and destroyed, along with the capillaries that surround them. This reduces the surface area available for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.1

The loss of elastic tissue causes the lungs to expand, compressing airways and making it difficult to exhale. While tobacco smoking is the most common cause of emphysema, bullous emphysema can sometimes affect young adults without a history of smoking. A significant factor predisposing individuals to severe emphysema is an inherited deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, an enzyme that protects the lungs. A rupture of these large air spaces can lead to a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), causing sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.12