What are blebs and bullae?

‘Blebs’ are blister-like air pockets that form on the surface of the lung. Bulla (or Bullae for pleural) is the term used for air-filled cavities within the lung tissue.

Is bleb and bullae the same?

When a bleb ruptures the air escapes into the chest cavity causing a pneumothorax (air between the lung and chest cavity) which can result in a collapsed lung. If blebs become larger or come together to form a larger cyst, they are called bulla.

What causes blebs in lungs?

What causes blebs? Researchers suspect that tobacco and cannabis smoking, emphysema (also called Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD), and other lung conditions can lead to the development of blebs and bullae. That’s because blebs are especially prevalent in damaged lung tissue.

What is bleb?

Definition of bleb 1 : a small blister. 2 : bubble also : a small particle. 3 : something resembling a bleb especially : a vesicular outgrowth of a plasma or nuclear membrane.

What causes a bulla?

Friction. One of the most common causes of bullae is friction. This includes the friction that occurs from using a shovel or another tool, or rubbing against the inside of a shoe. Friction blisters appear most often on your hands and feet.

Are blebs normal?

Blebs are a very common finding in otherwise normal individuals. They are often found in young patients. They are more common in thin patients and in cigarette smokers 1.

What does a bulla look like?

A bulla is a fluid-filled sac or lesion that appears when fluid is trapped under a thin layer of your skin. It’s a type of blister. Bullae (pronounced as “bully”) is the plural word for bulla. To be classified as a bulla, the blister must be larger than 0.5 centimeters (5 millimeters) in diameter.

What do lung blebs feel like?

A person with this condition may feel chest pain on the side of the collapsed lung and shortness of breath. Blebs may be present on an individual’s lung (or lungs) for a long time before they rupture. Many things can cause a bleb to rupture, such as changes in air pressure or a very sudden deep breath.

How big is a bleb?

In pathology pulmonary blebs are small subpleural thin-walled air-containing spaces, not larger than 1-2 cm in diameter. Their walls are less than 1 mm thick. If they rupture, they allow air to escape into pleural space, resulting in a spontaneous pneumothorax.

Can bullae pop?

Bullae may rupture or pop, allowing inhaled air to escape into the pleural cavity that surrounds the lungs. This causes respiratory distress, sharp chest pain, and anxiety. Treatment.

Can bullae go away?

Bullae are typically easy to treat. They will resolve on their own without treatment if not due to an illness or skin condition. However, in some cases complications are possible. If open or drained, bullae have the potential to become infected.